Are you interested in getting dental implants but concerned about the cost? While dental implants can be expensive, they are usually less expensive long term than other options because they are a permanent and healthier solution.

1. Approach a Dental School

Dental schools will often perform dental implants at low cost or even no cost, depending on the program. Dental students do not perform the implant on their own; they perform under the observation of an experienced dental professional. Not only can you get your implants done at the same quality, but you can also contribute to the education of future dental students.  

2. Ask for a Financing Program

Some dentists offer financing programs and payment plans on their own. You will usually need to put some money down towards the implant procedure, but the rest of the procedure can be scheduled out over a period of months or years.

3. Request an Insurance Review

If your insurance company isn't willing to pay for your dental implants, you may want to ask for an insurance review. Your dentist's office can check the codes they submitted your procedure under and the insurance company can make sure it's not covered. This is necessary because insurance coverage is automatically decided based on the codes that your procedure is submitted under. Occasionally, there are mistakes; a simple change in coding can mean the difference in being covered at all.

4. Check With the Next County

Most people know that they need to get multiple quotes for large procedures such as these, but many stick within their general area. Since dental implants are not price controlled, the amount can vary significantly by city, county and even state. If you're on the border between states, you might want to inquire regarding the next down over. You can get your medical care anywhere, even out of country.

5. Get a Medical Credit Line

There are credit lines open to those with poor credit specifically for the purposes of medical procedures such as dental procedures. Don't assume that you can't qualify just because you have bad credit. Some of these have very low introductory rates.

There are less expensive alternatives to dental implants but they usually don't last as long or cause other issues. Bridges, for instance, can weaken the surrounding teeth, which will ultimately lead to more expensive dental problems in the future. Consult with your dentist if you're having financial issues; they may have additional ideas for you.

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