Dental Loans

What is a Dental Loan?

A dental loan is a personal loan used to cover dental procedures that are expensive or not fully covered by health insurance. Rather than paying the full cost of treatment upfront, you borrow the amount you need and repay it over time with fixed, predictable instalments.

Most dental work in Australia is only partially covered by private health insurance, and Medicare provides very limited dental coverage for adults. This leaves many people facing bills of several thousand dollars for essential or elective procedures. A dental loan bridges the gap between what your insurance covers and what you actually owe.

Dental loans through Loans123 are unsecured personal loans, which means you do not need to put up your car or home as security. You borrow a fixed amount, agree on a repayment term between 1 and 5 years, and pay it back in regular weekly, fortnightly, or monthly instalments. The interest rate is locked in from the start, so your repayment amount stays the same for the entire life of the loan.

The funds are deposited directly into your bank account, giving you the freedom to choose any dentist or specialist you want. You are not locked into a particular dental practice or limited by their in-house payment plan terms.

Common Dental Procedures People Finance

Dental work covers a wide range of treatments, from routine restorations to complex surgical procedures. Here are the most common dental treatments that people use a personal loan to finance:

• Braces and orthodontics ($5,000 to $9,000): Traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear aligners like Invisalign are some of the most commonly financed dental treatments. Orthodontic treatment often runs for 18 months to 3 years, and the total cost can add up quickly. A dental loan lets you spread that cost over a manageable repayment period.
• Dental implants ($3,000 to $6,000 per tooth): Implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, but they are also one of the most expensive dental procedures. A single implant including the crown can cost between $3,000 and $6,000, and many patients need more than one. Financing implants with a personal loan makes this treatment accessible without draining your savings.
• Crowns ($1,500 to $2,500 per tooth): Dental crowns are used to restore damaged or weakened teeth. If you need several crowns as part of a larger treatment plan, the total cost can reach $5,000 or more.
• Veneers ($1,200 to $2,500 per tooth): Porcelain veneers can dramatically improve the appearance of your smile, but a full set of veneers for your front teeth can cost $10,000 or more. A dental loan lets you invest in your smile without paying the full amount upfront.
• Root canals ($800 to $1,500 per tooth): Root canal treatment is often necessary to save a tooth from extraction. While a single root canal might be manageable, multiple treatments combined with crowns can become expensive.
• Wisdom teeth removal ($300 to $600 per tooth, or $1,500 to $3,000 for all four under general anaesthetic): Surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth under general anaesthetic in a hospital or day surgery can be a significant expense, especially for younger patients or those without extras cover.
• Full mouth restoration ($15,000 to $30,000+): For patients who need extensive work including multiple implants, crowns, bridges, and other restorative treatments, the total cost can reach tens of thousands of dollars. A dental loan provides a structured way to finance this level of treatment.

Dental Loans vs Dentist Payment Plans

Many dental practices offer their own in-house payment plans, and it is worth understanding how these compare to a personal loan before you decide which option to use.

Dentist payment plans are typically offered through the practice itself or through a third-party buy-now-pay-later provider. These plans often cover shorter periods, usually 12 to 24 months, and may only be available for treatment at that specific practice. Some dentist payment plans charge no interest, but they often come with account-keeping fees, late payment penalties, or require a significant deposit upfront. You are also limited to using that particular dentist, which means you cannot shop around for the best price or choose a specialist elsewhere.

A personal loan gives you more flexibility. The funds go directly into your bank account, so you can choose any dentist, orthodontist, or oral surgeon. You are not tied to one practice. Personal loans offer longer repayment terms (up to 5 years through Loans123), which means lower repayments spread over a more comfortable period. The interest rate is fixed and transparent, and there are no hidden fees or surprise charges at the end of the plan.

The right choice depends on your situation. If your dentist offers a short-term interest-free plan and you can comfortably make the higher repayments, that might work well. But if you need a larger amount, want to choose your own provider, or prefer smaller repayments over a longer period, a personal loan is usually the better option.

How Much Do Common Dental Procedures Cost in Australia?

Understanding typical costs helps you plan your budget and know how much to borrow. Here is a breakdown of what common dental procedures cost in Australia. Keep in mind that prices vary by location, dentist, and complexity of the treatment.

• Check-up and clean: $200 to $350
• Dental filling: $150 to $400 per tooth
• Root canal: $800 to $1,500 per tooth
• Dental crown: $1,500 to $2,500 per tooth
• Porcelain veneer: $1,200 to $2,500 per tooth
• Dental implant (including crown): $3,000 to $6,000 per tooth
• Braces (traditional): $5,000 to $9,000
• Clear aligners (Invisalign): $6,000 to $9,000
• Wisdom teeth removal (all four, general anaesthetic): $1,500 to $3,000
• Full mouth restoration: $15,000 to $30,000+

These figures are estimates based on average Australian dental costs. Your actual quote may be higher or lower depending on your specific treatment plan. We recommend getting a written quote from your dentist before applying for a loan so you know exactly how much you need to borrow.

Dental Loan Repayment Examples

To give you an idea of what your repayments might look like, here are some examples based on a 9.99% p.a. interest rate. These are estimates only and do not include fees.

• $5,000 over 2 years: Approximately $230 per month
• $5,000 over 3 years: Approximately $161 per month
• $8,000 over 3 years: Approximately $258 per month
• $8,000 over 5 years: Approximately $170 per month
• $15,000 over 3 years: Approximately $484 per month
• $15,000 over 5 years: Approximately $318 per month

You can use our online loan calculator to get a more precise estimate based on your specific amount and preferred term. Remember that choosing a longer term reduces your monthly repayment but increases the total interest paid over the life of the loan.

Can You Get a Dental Loan with Bad Credit?

Yes, it is possible to get a dental loan even if your credit history is not perfect. Some lenders on our panel specialise in working with borrowers who have had credit issues in the past. While the interest rate may be higher than what someone with excellent credit would receive, approval is still achievable if you can demonstrate stable income and the ability to make repayments.

Common credit issues that do not automatically disqualify you include previous defaults that have been repaid, a limited credit history, or past financial hardship that you have since recovered from. The key factor most lenders look at is your current financial situation: your income, your existing debts, and whether you can comfortably afford the repayments on the new loan.

If you have had credit difficulties, our brokers can guide you toward the lenders most likely to approve your application. This saves you from applying to multiple lenders on your own, which can further lower your credit score. Visit our bad credit loans page to learn more about your options.

Apply for a Dental Loan with Loans123

Applying for a dental loan through Loans123 is straightforward and free. We are a licensed finance broker with access to over 30 lenders, and our job is to find the right loan for your situation. You do not pay us anything because we are paid by the lender when your loan settles.

Here is how the process works. You start by telling us how much you need and a bit about your financial situation. You can do this online through our website or by calling us on 1800 079 147. Our brokers then compare options from across the panel and come back to you with a recommendation. You choose the option that works best for you, we handle the paperwork, and the lender deposits the funds directly into your bank account.

The whole process can be completed quickly. Many of our dental loan clients have funds in their account within 24 to 48 hours of applying. Because we already know which lenders are most likely to approve your application, there is less back and forth and fewer delays than if you applied directly to a lender on your own.

Whether you need braces for your teenager, implants to restore your confidence, or a full mouth restoration to improve your quality of life, a dental loan through Loans123 gives you a clear, structured way to pay for the treatment you need. There is no obligation, no pressure, and no cost to you. You can also explore related options on our medical loans and cosmetic surgery loans pages if your treatment needs extend beyond dental work.