Written by: Ryan Dunlop, CEO and Founder of Full Arch Masters and graduate from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Key Takeaways
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Most full-arch implant cases ($15,000–$40,000 per arch) fall apart during the financial consultation because teams lack a clear financing playbook, not because patients reject treatment.
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Practices that proactively offer financing options see 20–30% higher acceptance rates on cases over $1,000, with top performers reaching the 80% close rate mentioned later versus the 28% industry average.
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Multiple financing pathways exist, from CareCredit and Sunbit to Proceed Finance and Cherry, each with distinct credit requirements, APRs, and terms that match different patient profiles.
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A structured six-step presentation process with pre-qualification, transparent cost disclosure, side-by-side option comparison, and scripted objection handling consistently drives higher conversion.
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Master the financing conversation and close more full-arch cases with Full Arch Masters’ Treatment Coordinator Bootcamp.
The Real Cost of Full-Arch Implants: What Your Patients Are Financing
Cost drivers include implants, abutments, provisional prosthesis, and final prosthesis. Zirconia adds $3,000–$8,000 per arch over acrylic. Preparatory procedures are typically billed on top: bone grafting runs $2,000–$5,000, sinus lifts $1,500–$3,000, and full-mouth extractions $1,500–$5,000.
The financing gap is structural. Most dental insurance plans carry annual maximums of $1,000–$2,500, covering roughly 3–8% of a $30,000 case. Financing is a clinical necessity for the overwhelming majority of full-arch patients, and not simply a sales tactic.
To meet that need, practices can draw on several distinct financing pathways, each with its own credit requirements, APRs, and terms.
Financing Options: A Lender-by-Lender Breakdown for Full-Arch Cases
Specialized Medical Lenders
Proceed Finance focuses on larger dental and medical cases, offering extended terms up to 60–84 months. It functions as a second-look option after prime lenders decline. Typical APRs often run 15–30%+, and that higher cost is the trade-off for patients who need longer terms to reach a workable monthly payment. Proceed Finance is a patient-financing partner referenced in the Full Arch Masters Treatment Coordinator Bootcamp.
LendingUSA offers installment loans for medical and dental procedures with terms typically ranging 12–84 months. Approval is credit-based, and APRs vary by applicant profile, so treatment coordinators should position it as a structured installment option for patients who want predictable payments.
Cherry is a buy-now-pay-later platform used by over 25,000 dental practices. It performs only a soft credit check (no hard inquiry) and offers terms from 6 weeks interest-free up to 60 months, with loans up to $65,000. Qualifying borrowers can access true 0% APR on longer plans, while other plans carry APRs set at approval within Cherry’s published 0–35.99% range. Cherry requires a down payment at time of purchase and has no origination fees or deferred-interest clauses, which simplifies the explanation for patients.
Medical Credit Cards
CareCredit is the most widely recognized healthcare financing card, issued by Synchrony Bank and accepted at over 285,000 provider locations. It offers deferred-interest promotional financing of 6, 12, 18, or 24 months on qualifying purchases of $200 or more. Standard purchase APR is approximately 32.99% variable as of mid-2026. Longer-term plans of 24–60 months use a fixed reduced APR, often in the 14.9%–17.9% range, and most approved applicants have a FICO score of 620 or higher.
Critical warning: CareCredit promotions are deferred interest, not true 0% APR, so interest accrues from day one at 32.99% and is waived only if the balance is paid in full by the deadline. If even one dollar remains, all accrued interest is charged retroactively.
Sunbit uses a proprietary algorithm that looks beyond traditional credit scores, performs only a soft pull, and publishes an 87% approval rate. Approvals start at a 500 credit score. Terms run 3–72 months with APRs from 0% to 35.99%, varying by plan and state. It is not available in Vermont or West Virginia, and the lender of record is Transportation Alliance Bank (TAB Bank).
In-House Payment Plans
Aspen Dental advertises that 99% of applicants qualify for at least one financing option through partners including CareCredit, Proceed Finance, Fortiva, HFD, or American First Finance, routing patients to third-party lenders rather than carrying true in-house plans. Independent practices can create in-house plans, but per ADA guidance and the federal Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z), plans extending beyond roughly 90 days with a finance charge can classify the practice as a lender, triggering CFPB compliance requirements most offices cannot meet. In-house plans work best for small balances ($500–$1,500) with a 20–50% down payment and 30–90 day terms.
Personal Loans and Credit Unions
Unsecured personal loans from banks and credit unions typically carry APRs well above 12% for borrowers with good credit (670+). For example, borrowers with good credit (690–719) average around 19% APR, while those with excellent credit (720+) average around 14–15% APR, with the lowest advertised rates (6–12%) reserved for the most creditworthy applicants. Credit unions often offer lower rates to members. Terms typically run 12–84 months, and these general-purpose loans can fund any dental expense without lender network restrictions.
HSA/FSA and Insurance
Dental implants are generally eligible expenses for both HSAs and FSAs when they restore function rather than serve a purely cosmetic purpose, per IRS Publication 502. For 2026, HSA contribution limits are $4,300 for self-only and $8,550 for family coverage, with a $1,000 catch-up for those 55+. The health FSA contribution limit is $3,300. HSA funds roll over year to year, while FSA funds are generally use-it-or-lose-it.
Most dental insurance does not cover full-arch implants, though some plans may cover related procedures like extractions, bone grafts, or diagnostic imaging. Staging treatment across two calendar years can tap two annual maximums.
Full-Arch Financing Options at a Glance
The table below compares each financing pathway across APR, terms, and the key consideration your team should weigh when matching patients to a product.
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Financing Type |
Typical APR |
Terms & Credit Requirements |
Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
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Medical Credit Cards (CareCredit, Sunbit) |
CareCredit uses deferred interest with a retroactive charge if balance remains at promo end |
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Specialized Medical Lenders (Proceed Finance, LendingUSA, Cherry) |
Strong second-look options for larger cases or challenged credit |
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Personal Loans / Credit Unions |
6%–12% for good credit (670+) |
12–84 months; typically 670+ FICO |
General-purpose; not restricted to dental network |
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In-House Plans |
Best for small balances ($500–$1,500) with 20–50% down |
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HSA/FSA |
N/A (pre-tax dollars) |
Stackable with other financing; HSA rolls over annually |
What Credit Score Is Needed for Dental Financing?
Dental financing options exist for scores as low as 500 (for example, Sunbit), while some lenders like CareCredit typically require 620 or higher. Specific thresholds for the best terms vary by lender and are not uniformly published. CareCredit approves most applicants at 620 or higher. Sunbit approves from 500 and uses a soft pull. Personal loans typically require 670+.
None of the major dental financing providers publishes a single universal credit score cutoff, so approval depends on each lender’s underwriting model, and a declined application at one lender does not predict the outcome at another. Credit score affects both approval odds and APR. For example, for CareCredit medical financing, patients with credit scores of 640 or higher typically access promotional 0% deferred-interest offers, whereas patients with scores around 580 may only get approved without such offers.
How to Present Financing to Patients: The Treatment Coordinator Playbook
Patient financing acceptance rates improve significantly when offered proactively: 45% acceptance when offered proactively versus 28% when offered only after a price objection. The following six-step process is the system Full Arch Masters’ in-house treatment coordinator uses to maintain the 80% closing rate referenced earlier and the same system taught in the Full Arch Masters financing bootcamp for treatment coordinators.
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Pre-qualify the patient. Ask about credit comfort and monthly budget before presenting treatment. Use a guided closed-ended question: “Is this something you’ve saved up for, or would one of our flexible monthly payment options work better for you?”
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Present the total cost transparently. The patient must understand the full treatment cost, insurance estimate, and their portion before any financing discussion. Hold this conversation in a private space to protect privacy and support a calm decision.
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Offer 2–3 financing options side by side. A single option forces a yes/no decision, while two or three options create a choice. Example: CareCredit 0% promo vs. Proceed Finance longer term vs. HSA/FSA funds.
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Use a decision framework based on credit score and monthly budget. Match the patient’s financial profile to the right product. For example, recommend CareCredit’s 0% promo to excellent-credit patients and Sunbit or Cherry to fair-credit patients, then adjust term length to reach a comfortable monthly payment.
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Handle objections. When a patient says “I can’t afford it,” they are often having a cortisol-driven flight response, not making a rational financial assessment. Show the monthly payment breakdown. A $30,000 full-mouth plan at 0% over 24 months is approximately $1,250 per month. A $20,000 per-arch plan financed over 60 months at 9–13% APR produces payments around $400–$450 per month.
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Close with a clear next step. Book the follow-up before the patient leaves, with a specific day and time. Send the estimate in writing the same day so the patient discusses correct numbers at home.
Decision Framework: How to Match Patients to the Right Financing Option
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Excellent credit (720+): Recommend CareCredit’s 0% promotional period or a personal loan from a credit union at 6–12% APR. These patients qualify for the strongest terms and should use them.
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Good credit (650–719): Recommend Proceed Finance or LendingUSA for longer terms up to 84 months that lower monthly payments to a manageable range.
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Fair credit (580–649): Recommend Sunbit (approvals start at 500) or Cherry (soft pull, no published minimum score). In-house plans with a down payment may also work for smaller balances.
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Poor credit (below 580): Explore HSA/FSA funds, credit unions, co-signers, or second-look lenders like American First Finance. Note that second-look products can carry effective APRs significantly higher than prime lenders.
Common Patient Objections and How to Handle Them
The following scripts come from objection-handling frameworks used in high-volume full-arch practices.
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“It’s too expensive.” Response: “I understand. Let’s look at the monthly cost instead of the lump sum. With our financing partners, a $30,000 case can work out to around $1,250 per month over 24 months at 0% interest. A longer term would lower that further. Which monthly payment would fit your budget?”
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“I’ll think about it.” Response: “Of course. Is it more the cost, the time away from work, or something about the treatment plan you’d like to think through? I ask because sometimes I can answer questions right now that make the decision easier.”
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“Can I pay later?” Response: “We can absolutely set up a payment plan. Let me walk you through the options we offer so you can see which one works best for your situation.”
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“My insurance doesn’t cover this.” Response: “That’s true. Most dental plans have annual maximums that have not kept up with the cost of care. That is why we offer multiple financing options. Many patients use a combination of their HSA/FSA funds and a financing plan to make treatment work.”
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“I need to ask my spouse.” Response: “That makes sense. Would it help if I sent you the treatment plan and financing breakdown in writing so you can review it together? I can also schedule a follow-up call for later this week if you have questions.”
FAQ: Full-Arch Dental Financing Questions
What is the best financing company for dental work?
The best financing company depends on the patient’s credit score and case cost. For strong credit around 620 or higher, CareCredit’s 0% promotional periods work well. For larger cases where patients need longer terms, Proceed Finance is a strong choice. For patients with fair or thin credit, Sunbit and Cherry approve from around a 500 score using soft checks. Most practices benefit from maintaining two or three financing partners to cover the full credit spectrum.
Can patients use HSA or FSA funds for dental implants?
Yes. As covered in the HSA/FSA section above, implants are generally eligible when they restore function, and 2026 limits are $4,300 (self) and $8,550 (family) for HSAs and $3,300 for FSAs. Eligible costs usually include the implant fixture, abutment, crown, bone grafting, sinus lift, anesthesia, and diagnostic imaging. Patients should confirm eligibility with their plan administrator and keep itemized receipts.
Does dental insurance cover full-arch implants?
Usually not. Most dental plans classify the implant post as elective and exclude it, though they may cover related procedures like extractions, bone grafts, or diagnostic imaging up to the plan’s annual maximum. Annual maximums typically cap at $1,000–$2,500, covering only a small fraction of a $30,000 full-arch case. Staging treatment across two calendar years can allow patients to tap two annual maximums, which is worth presenting during the financial consultation.
What credit score is needed for dental financing?
As outlined in the credit-score section above, options exist from about a 500 score with Sunbit up through prime-credit products like CareCredit and personal loans. CareCredit typically approves from around 620, Sunbit from around 500 with a soft pull, and banks or credit unions often look for 670 or higher. Each lender uses its own underwriting model, so a decline with one provider does not guarantee a decline with another.
What is deferred interest, and why does it matter for full-arch financing?
Deferred interest means interest accrues from day one of the promotional period but is waived only if the balance is paid in full by the promotional deadline. If any balance remains when the promotion ends, all accrued interest is charged retroactively to the account. CareCredit’s standard APR is approximately 32.99%, so the back-interest charge on a large full-arch balance can be substantial. Treatment coordinators must explain this distinction clearly when presenting CareCredit promotional plans and should recommend that patients set a personal payoff date at least one month before the promotional deadline.
Conclusion: Turn Financing Into Your Competitive Advantage
Full-arch cases are won or lost at the financial consultation. A clear financing playbook with lender knowledge, a structured presentation sequence, and practiced objection-handling separates an average practice from one that reaches the higher close rates described earlier. The lenders, terms, and scripts in this guide give your team the operational foundation to close more cases and serve more patients who genuinely need full-arch care.
To deepen your team’s skills with real-world scripts and workflows, consider the Full Arch Masters Treatment Coordinator Bootcamp, taught by their in-house treatment coordinator, who covers patient financing, objection-handling, pipeline nurture, and the complete sales process for high-ticket full-arch cases.
