Orthodontic financing alternatives when OrthoFi is not available
If your orthodontist does not offer OrthoFi, compare CareCredit, Cherry, PatientFi, Sunbit, and a personal loan. Patient financing is the fastest to get at the office; a personal loan can be cheaper for good credit and lets you pay the practice in full.
- CareCredit standard APR: 32.99%
- Cherry and Sunbit: 0% to 35.99% APR
- PatientFi: 6.99% to 32.99% APR
- Ask about pay-in-full discounts and HSA/FSA
If your orthodontist does not offer OrthoFi, or you want to compare before committing, these are the realistic ways U.S. patients pay for braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontic treatment.
The full landscape at a glance
| Option | Loan size | Typical APR | Apply directly | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OrthoFi | Treatment balance | 0% lender offers; in-office up to 18% | No | Flexibility if orthodontist offers it |
| CareCredit | Credit limit | No-interest promo or 32.99% | Yes | Short-term 0% payoff with strong credit |
| Cherry | $35–$65,000 | 0–35.99% | Yes | Fast approval, transparent fixed-rate |
| PatientFi | Up to $60,000 | 6.99–32.99%, 0% promos | Partial | Larger loans, longer terms |
| Sunbit | $50–$20,000 | 0–35.99% | At provider | Near-prime and subprime approval |
| Personal loan | $1,000–$50,000 | 7–36% | Yes | Unsecured, flexible use, prime rates |
| Credit card 0% intro | Up to credit limit | 0% intro, then 20–29% | Yes | Short payoff, no deferred interest |
| HSA / FSA | Your balance | 0% | n/a | Tax-advantaged if you have one |
| Practice payment plan | Varies | Often 0–8% | At provider | Small practices, flexible negotiation |
CareCredit
CareCredit is the largest medical credit line in the U.S., accepted at 260,000+ network locations. The standard purchase APR is 32.99%, offset by no-interest deferred-interest promotions of 6 to 24 months and reduced-APR plans of 24 to 60 months.
Best for: Patients with strong credit who can guarantee payoff within the promotional window.
Watch out for: Deferred-interest retroactive charges if you miss payoff by even one day. See our full OrthoFi vs CareCredit comparison.
Cherry
Cherry is a dedicated patient financing platform offering fixed-rate installment loans with transparent APRs and fast approval. Loan amounts go up to $65,000.
Best for: Patients who want to pre-qualify online before the consultation, and patients financing combined dental and orthodontic work.
Watch out for: APRs can run up to 35.99% for subprime borrowers — comparable to credit cards. See our OrthoFi vs Cherry comparison.
PatientFi
PatientFi focuses on elective healthcare — plastic surgery, cosmetic dentistry, fertility, and some orthodontics. It lists approvals up to $60,000 for cosmetic dental and similar care, with fixed APRs from 6.99% to 32.99% and zero-interest promotional plans.
Best for: Patients combining orthodontic treatment with other elective procedures, or needing longer repayment terms up to 84 months.
Watch out for: Your orthodontist must be a PatientFi provider; cannot sign up on your own at any practice. See OrthoFi vs PatientFi.
Sunbit
Sunbit offers point-of-sale financing with generous approval rates, including for near-prime and subprime borrowers. Loan amounts up to $20,000 with APRs ranging from 0% promotional to 35.99%.
Best for: Patients with fair credit (580–680) who have been declined elsewhere.
Watch out for: Higher APRs than most alternatives for borrowers below prime credit.
Personal loans
An unsecured personal loan from an online lender (Avant, Upstart, LendingUSA, SoFi, Marcus, LightStream) can cover the full orthodontic treatment amount in one lump sum, which you pay directly to the practice. APRs range from about 7% for prime borrowers up to 35.99% for subprime.
Best for: Patients with prime credit (700+) who want the lowest total cost and maximum flexibility. Also useful for patients who need financing when their practice does not accept any of the specialty medical lenders.
Watch out for: Origination fees from some lenders. Compare APR including fees, not just the headline rate.
Check what you qualify for in our pre-qualification form — soft credit check, no impact on your score.
0% intro APR credit cards
If your treatment cost fits on a credit card and you have strong credit, a 0% intro APR credit card can be the cheapest option. Many major cards offer 12–21 months at 0% APR on purchases.
Best for: Treatment under $6,000 that you can pay off within the intro period.
Watch out for: Standard APR after the intro period is often 20–29%. Credit utilization may temporarily drop your score. Unlike CareCredit, 0% APR on purchases is true 0% — no retroactive interest — but confirm the terms in writing.
HSA and FSA accounts
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) let you pay for orthodontic treatment with pre-tax dollars. Because the money is pre-tax, you save roughly your income tax rate on the amount you pay this way.
Best for: Patients with existing HSA or FSA balances. FSA funds generally must be used within the plan year, though some plans allow a short grace period or a small carryover.
Watch out for: You can only use what you have in the account. For a $6,000 treatment and a $3,000 FSA, you still need to cover the remaining $3,000 another way.
Practice-direct payment plans
Smaller orthodontic practices often offer in-house payment plans without any third-party platform. These can be more flexible than OrthoFi or CareCredit because the practice makes the credit decision itself.
Best for: Patients with weaker credit who can negotiate directly, and patients at smaller independent practices that are not part of a corporate dental group.
Watch out for: Not all practices offer this. The practice carries the credit risk, so they may require a larger down payment or shorter terms.
Dental school clinics
Orthodontic treatment at a university dental school clinic is often cheaper than private practice. Students perform the work under faculty supervision. Treatment takes longer because appointments are often scheduled around the academic calendar.
Best for: Patients prioritizing cost over convenience, and patients with no urgency.
Watch out for: Longer appointments, less scheduling flexibility, and treatment that may extend over additional semesters as providers rotate.
How to choose
Work through these questions in order:
- Does my orthodontist already offer financing? If OrthoFi, Cherry, PatientFi, Sunbit, or an in-house plan is available, start there.
- Can I pay cash with a discount? Some practices offer a discount for paying in full up front.
- Can I use HSA/FSA money? Pre-tax dollars beat any loan APR.
- Do I have strong credit (700+)? A personal loan or 0% credit card is likely cheapest.
- Can I guarantee payoff within a short promotional period? CareCredit or Cherry 0% intros can work.
- Is my credit weaker? OrthoFi in-house (if offered), Sunbit, or a practice-direct plan are the most flexible.
Use our payment calculator to compare total cost across options once you have offers in hand.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to pay for braces?
The cheapest option depends on your credit and timeline. If you can pay in full within a 0% intro period, a 0% credit card or CareCredit promo is typically cheapest. For longer timelines, a low-rate personal loan can beat medical credit cards on cost. Cash with a practice discount beats everything when it is available.
What credit score do I need for orthodontic financing?
Credit requirements vary by lender. OrthoFi's in-office plans may approve patients with limited credit history, since the practice decides. Many mainstream lenders look for scores in the mid-600s or higher, though criteria vary. Prime rates kick in at 700+. Below 580, options narrow to in-house plans, Sunbit, or a co-signer.
Can I finance orthodontic treatment without a credit check?
Yes, in some cases. Practice-direct payment plans sometimes skip a formal credit check, while OrthoFi's in-office plans review credit and checking-account history. Dental school clinics generally do not credit-check at all. Third-party financing always checks credit, although Cherry says it uses only a soft check.
Will my insurance cover any of this?
Many dental insurance plans include an orthodontic benefit with a fixed lifetime maximum, often limited to dependents. Confirm your benefit with your insurer directly before signing any financing agreement. OrthoFi handles insurance claims automatically; other financing options expect you to manage insurance separately.