Do you want to have a smile that dazzles? Your smile is part of your appearance, and a winning smile can be just what you need to boost your self-esteem. Taking good care of your teeth is also essential for your health in general.
Depending on the type of procedure that you need, there are a variety of different funding sources available. You should first become familiar with the cost of the procedure that you need and consider how much you have available for it. If you need additional funding, you can investigate potential sources. We will cover several of them in this article.
Understanding the Costs Involved
There are ways that you can find financing for cosmetic dental procedures. First, however, you should determine the cost of what you need in particular. Costs vary widely, depending on what you need to do, so it is a good idea to figure out your exact procedure and what it entails before you seek funding.
Some of the more popular cosmetic dental procedures include:
- Veneers. Veneers are a layer of material that is placed over the teeth to protect them from damage and improve the appearance of a smile. They come in different types, depending on the material. Porcelain veneers range from $925 to $2,500 per tooth, and composite veneers range from $250 to $1,500 per tooth.
- Teeth whitening. Many of us would like to have whiter teeth. Teeth whitening generally costs between $500 and $1,000 per session.
- Implants. If you want something stronger and more durable than bridgework, you should consider getting implants. Implants cost between $3,000 and $4,500 per tooth.
- Inlays and onlays. Inlays and onlays are a way of filling cavities with composite, amalgam, or glass ionomer that is built up within the mouth. They typically cost between $650 and $1,200 per tooth.
- Dental bonding. Dental bonding is the process of applying a tooth-colored composite resin material to change the shape, size, or color of your teeth. It costs between $100 and 500 per tooth.
- Braces. Many young people – and some older people – will need to get braces at some point in their lives. Metal braces can cost between $3,000 and $7,000, and ceramic ones can run between $4,000 and $8,000.
8 Ways to Finance Your Cosmetic Dental Procedures
The numbers in the previous paragraph can certainly seem intimidating. But rest assured – there are a number of ways that you can finance your cosmetic dental procedures without breaking the bank. Here are several of them:
Personal Savings
Regardless of what your future needs might be, it is always a good idea to put away money for unforeseen costs at an early time. Whether it be dentistry, home repair, or some other type of need, it is always wise to have emergency savings for when you might need it.
Some of the things that you can do to build up personal savings include:
- Have an automatic savings amount put away from your bank account each month. This way, you won’t have to remember to put money aside each month.
- Create a budget for yourself and follow it diligently.
- Make a concerted effort to track all of your spending, even on small things. Eliminate any costs that you ultimately consider unnecessary.
Dental Insurance
You should also become familiar with how dental insurance works. Dental insurance provides coverage to help you pay for dental care. In some cases, your employer will provide dental coverage in addition to medical insurance. Otherwise, you will pay a premium, as well as copays and deductibles, when you receive treatment.
There are different types of dental policies: preventive and comprehensive. They range from $26 per month to $47 per month.
Dental insurance is necessary, particularly for things like emergencies and annual checkups. It is less effective for cosmetic procedures, however, so you should read the fine print carefully when you take out a policy. Because many cosmetic procedures are considered “non-essential,” dental plans don’t always include them.
Dental Payment Plans
Dental payment plans can be a good way to ease the financial burden of paying for expensive dental procedures. In dental clinics, you can get in-house dental payment financing that will let you pay for procedures over an extended period of time. This allows you to get the procedure that you need in a timely manner and pay for it gradually, as your finances allow.
Depending on the type of financing you receive, payment plans can sometimes be more expensive than paying upfront. However, if you don’t have cash available, they can be a reliable alternative.
Personal Loans
Another option could be to get a personal loan. Personal loans have different terms, depending on which type you want to get. Lenders will usually look at your credit history (you should have a score between 560 and 660), your income, the amount of debt you owe, and possibly what type of collateral you have to offer.
Personal loans can be useful ways to get the money you need when you need it. However, you should be aware of the potentially high-interest rates (between 6% and 36%) involved. You might end up paying back much more than you receive initially.
Credit Cards
If you have a credit card with a high enough limit, you can put your cosmetic dental procedure on the card. Keep in mind, though, that credit card payments also come with interest – unless you can cover the whole fee in one repayment – and failure to make timely payments could cause you trouble.
Health Care or Medical Credit Cards
There are also special kinds of credit cards that are specifically designated for medical-related use and which can be used for dentistry. You can get one of these cards through your healthcare provider.
One of the advantages of using medical credit cards is that they often defer the interest on your payments. So, if you are able to repay the amount of your procedure quickly, you might be able to avoid interest payments.
In order to determine whether getting a medical credit card is a good option for you, you should carefully examine your existing funds, including from a possible flexible spending or health savings account.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts are similar. Flexible spending accounts allow you to set aside a portion of your earnings before tax for your medical and dental expenses. You can pay for procedures as long as your projected income by the end of the year will be high enough to cover all the expenses involved.
A health savings account is an account that is available to people who are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan. It does not allow for payments based on projected income; however, the money you use must already be present in your account.
Crowdfunding and Fundraisers
You might even consider things like crowdfunding platforms. You can create a GoFundMe page and ask 500 of your Facebook friends to contribute a very small amount each. If most people donated, you could quickly find that you’ve secured the amount that you need for your procedure.
And in this case, there will be no repayments or interest to worry about.
Final Thoughts
Cosmetic dentistry might seem like something extra that not everyone has the luxury of considering. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Not only are there multiple payment options available, but you’ll find that it makes a world of difference in your confidence and your overall appearance.
If you need a cosmetic dental procedure, start looking into payment options today. You’ll be glad you did.
