What is dental finance?
Dental finance is a way to pay for treatment over time rather than in one hit. Most dental loans are unsecured personal loans with a set term and regular repayments, so you know exactly what’s leaving your account each month.
Because the loan is in your name rather than tied to one practice, you can use it with any dentist, orthodontist or oral surgeon you choose.
It tends to make sense when:
- Your plan costs well beyond this year’s extras limit
- Treatment happens in stages over several months
- More than one family member needs work at the same time
- You’d rather keep savings for emergencies
How to finance dental implants and other staged treatment
Start with a written, itemised treatment plan, then borrow for the whole plan so every stage is covered. Implants, full-mouth work and some crowns and bridges happen over several visits, and one loan keeps the money side simple.
| Stage | What usually happens | How the loan helps |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Exam, X-rays or 3D scans, treatment plan and quote | Gives you the exact figure to borrow |
| Preparation | Any extractions, grafting or gum treatment your dentist recommends | No pause while you save |
| Main procedure | Implant placement, root canal or preparing teeth for crowns | Often the biggest bill — already covered |
| Healing and reviews | Check-ups as scheduled by your dentist | No surprise lump sums |
| Final restoration | Crowns, bridges, veneers or dentures fitted | The last stage is paid for too |
Can I finance Invisalign or braces?
Yes. Clear aligners such as Invisalign and traditional braces can both be covered by a dental loan, for adults and kids alike. Orthodontists often ask for an upfront payment followed by instalments, and a loan lets you pay the full fee in one go instead.
Before settling on an amount, check what the orthodontic fee includes:
- Retainers once active treatment finishes
- Extra aligners or adjustments if things take longer
- Review appointments and emergency visits
- Records, scans and the first consultation
Dental payment plans vs dental loans: what’s the difference?
A payment plan is usually offered by or through the clinic, while a dental loan comes from a lender and works anywhere. Which suits you comes down to how big the bill is, how long you need to repay and the fees involved.
| Compare | In-house clinic plan | Buy now pay later | Dental loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it works | That practice only | Participating providers | Any dentist or specialist |
| Best suited to | Smaller bills | Smaller bills you can clear quickly | Larger or staged treatment |
| Repayment period | Set by the clinic | Usually short | Set upfront, often a few years |
| Regulation | Depends on the arrangement | Regulated as credit since 10 June 2025 | Credit from a licensed lender |
Because buy now pay later providers now need an Australian Credit Licence, it’s worth treating a BNPL plan like any other credit commitment. It can suit a modest bill you’ll clear quickly; for implants or orthodontics, a longer term with steady repayments is usually easier to budget.
Does health insurance cover dental implants?
Sometimes, in part. Extras cover that includes major dental may pay a benefit towards implants, but annual limits and waiting periods usually leave a gap — and Medicare generally doesn’t cover dental treatment for adults.
- 1
Get item numbers
Ask your dentist for the item number and fee for each part of the plan.
- 2
Ask your fund
Your health fund can quote its benefit for each item, based on your policy, remaining limits and waiting periods.
- 3
Borrow the difference
Subtract the expected benefit from the total. That’s your starting point for the loan amount.
Some people spread treatment across two benefit years to use two rounds of extras limits. If that’s your plan, tell us and we’ll size the loan around it.
What you’ll need
- Itemised treatment plan from your dentist or orthodontist
- Item numbers and your fund’s expected benefit
- Your driver licence or passport
- Proof of income, such as your last two payslips
- A list of existing debts, including credit cards
- Your rough monthly living costs
Who it usually suits
- 18 or older
- Living in Australia as a citizen or permanent resident, or on a visa some lenders accept
- Regular income — casual and self-employed applicants welcome
- Room in your budget for repayments across the whole treatment plan
- Past credit hiccups don’t automatically rule you out
