Financing can make dental implants possible without paying the full cost upfront, but the terms vary far more than most patients expect. Two plans with the same monthly payment can cost very different amounts by the end. Below are seven questions to ask before you sign anything, followed by five northern Utah practices to consider, starting with Stubbs Dental, which helps patients sort through financing and insurance options for implant treatment.
What should you ask before financing implants?
1. Is the promotional rate true 0% or deferred interest?
This is the most important question. With a true 0% plan, no interest accrues during the promotional period. With deferred interest, interest builds in the background from day one, and if any balance remains when the promotion ends, all of it is charged at once. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has warned that deferred-interest medical credit cards can leave patients with unexpected costs, so read the terms closely.
2. What is the APR after any promotion ends?
The annual percentage rate, or APR, is the yearly cost of borrowing, including interest and certain fees. Many medical financing products carry high standard rates once a promotional period expires. Ask for the exact number in writing, not a range.
3. Who is the lender?
Some practices offer in-house payment plans, while others work with third-party lenders. With a third-party loan or credit card, you owe the lender, not the dental office, and the lender’s rules apply to late payments and disputes. Know which arrangement you are entering.
4. Will applying affect my credit score?
It depends on the inquiry type. A soft credit check, often used for prequalification, does not affect your score. A hard inquiry, typically run when you formally apply, can lower it slightly for a period of time. Ask which kind the application uses before you submit it.
5. What will I pay in total, not just per month?
Monthly payments can look manageable while the total cost climbs. Ask for the full amount you will repay over the life of the plan, including interest and fees, and compare that figure across offers. A longer term usually means lower payments but more interest overall.
6. Is there a penalty for paying early?
Paying off a loan early saves interest, so make sure nothing discourages it. Ask whether the plan has a prepayment penalty, and if you expect a tax refund or bonus, confirm you can apply it to the balance at any time.
7. What happens if my treatment plan changes?
Implant treatment often happens in phases, and plans can shift if grafting is needed or a phase is delayed. Ask when billing begins, whether you are financing the full amount upfront or by phase, and how refunds or adjustments are handled if part of the treatment is not completed. Combining financing with insurance benefits and health savings or flexible spending account funds can also reduce how much you need to borrow.
Which northern Utah practices can walk you through financing?
- Stubbs Dental
- Dr. Greg A. Roberts Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Implant & Restorative Dental Specialists
- Copper Hills Periodontics & Dental Implants
- Valley Implants & Oral Surgery
1. Stubbs Dental
Dr. David Stubbs, DDS, opened Stubbs Dental Implant Center in 2014. He earned his degree at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and completed post-graduate clinical training as a U.S. Navy officer. The practice focuses on full-arch implant care, including All-on-X, bone grafting, and zygomatic implants.
The practice offers help with financing and insurance, a free downloadable implant cost guide, and free consultations that include 3D CBCT imaging, so patients can see the full plan before applying for any loan. Eligible patients may receive final zirconia teeth in as little as 24 hours, and offices are located in Layton, Bountiful, Murray, and Lehi.
2. Dr. Greg A. Roberts Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
An oral and maxillofacial surgery office in Murray.
3. Implant & Restorative Dental Specialists
A Layton practice offering implant and restorative dentistry.
4. Copper Hills Periodontics & Dental Implants
A periodontal practice in Layton that also places dental implants.
5. Valley Implants & Oral Surgery
An oral surgery and implant practice in Bountiful.
How do you choose the right financing?
Good financing fits your budget today and does not surprise you later. Get your treatment plan and itemized quote first, then compare financing offers on total repayment, the rate after any promotion, and the flexibility to pay early. Bring these questions to your consultation and ask the office to explain each answer before you apply.
