First: Understand the Two Types of Dental Financing
Before comparing companies, you need to understand the fundamental difference between the two structures you'll encounter:
Deferred Interest ("No interest if paid in full"): Interest accrues on your balance from day one — it's just hidden. If you pay off the full balance before the promotional period ends, you owe nothing extra. But if you have even $1 remaining when the period expires, the full accrued interest gets added to your balance retroactively. On a $3,000 procedure at 32.99% APR over 18 months, that surprise charge can be over $1,300.
True 0% APR: No interest accrues at all during the promotional period. If you're approved for 0% over 12 months, you pay exactly what you financed — period. Missing the payoff deadline may affect future terms but won't retroactively charge you interest on past months.
This distinction is the single most important thing to understand before signing any dental financing agreement. Several companies market deferred interest as "0% interest" — which is technically accurate only if you pay on time. We'll call it out clearly for each option below.
CareCredit
Visit CareCredit →Type
Revolving Credit Card
Min. Credit Score
~640
Standard APR
32.99%
Accepts ITIN
✅ Yes
What it actually is
CareCredit is a revolving healthcare credit card issued by Synchrony Bank — not a one-time loan. Once approved, you keep the card and can reuse it at any of 285,000+ locations for dental, vision, veterinary, and other healthcare costs without reapplying. The credit limit can be up to $25,000 depending on your creditworthiness.
The application
You can prequalify online with a soft credit check (no score impact). If you proceed, a hard credit pull is required — this will temporarily affect your credit score. CareCredit accepts both Social Security Numbers and ITIN numbers, making it accessible to patients who are not U.S. citizens. You must be 18+ to apply online (21+ by phone).
The promotional periods — read this carefully
CareCredit offers two types of promotional financing, and the difference matters enormously:
⚠️ Deferred Interest (Short-term promos: 6, 12, 18, 24 months)
These are marketed as "No Interest if Paid in Full." Interest at 32.99% APR accrues from day one but is waived if you pay the full balance before the promo ends. Miss the deadline by even $1 and the full accrued interest is added to your balance retroactively. On a $2,000 procedure with an 18-month promo, that retroactive charge can exceed $700. Make sure your monthly payment is set high enough to clear the balance before the deadline — the required minimum payment may not be.
✅ Reduced APR Fixed Plans (24, 36, 48, 60 months)
For purchases of $1,000+, CareCredit offers longer-term plans with a fixed reduced APR and equal monthly payments. These have no deferred interest trap — you simply pay the fixed rate over the term. APRs: 17.90% (24 mo), 18.90% (36 mo), 19.90% (48 mo), 20.90% (60 mo, requires $2,500+). These are a better option if you can't guarantee paying off the balance quickly.
Best for
Patients with good credit (640+) who want a reusable card they can use across multiple providers and healthcare needs. Also ideal for patients with ITIN numbers who need access to larger credit limits for planned procedures like implants, crowns, or orthodontics.
Bottom line: CareCredit is the most widely accepted dental financing option and offers flexibility as a reusable card. But the deferred interest structure on short-term promos is a real risk. If you choose CareCredit, use the reduced APR fixed plan for anything you can't confidently pay off in the promo window — or set up autopay that guarantees full payoff before the deadline.
Cherry Financing
Visit Cherry →Type
BNPL Installment Loan
Min. Credit Score
~520
APR Range
0% – 35.99%
Accepts ITIN
✅ Yes
What it actually is
Cherry is a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) point-of-sale loan — not a credit card. Each procedure is a separate loan with fixed terms agreed to at the time of treatment. You do not get a reusable card. Instead, you apply at the practice, get approved, and the office receives payment within 2–3 business days while you repay Cherry directly in monthly installments. Cherry accepts both Social Security Numbers and ITIN numbers.
The application
The application takes about 60 seconds and uses a soft credit check only — applying will not affect your credit score. Cherry approves over 80% of applicants across all credit profiles, with a minimum score of approximately 520. Approval is instant in most cases. A down payment is required at checkout — typically equal to one month's payment — payable by debit or credit card (credit cards incur a 2.99% processing fee; prepaid cards are not accepted).
The interest structure — this is the key difference
✅ True 0% APR — no deferred interest
Cherry's 0% APR plans are genuine. No interest accrues during the plan period. If you're approved for 12 months at 0%, you pay exactly the amount financed — split into equal monthly payments. There is no retroactive interest charge if you miss the payoff window. If your account becomes delinquent, interest may apply going forward, but it is never applied retroactively to past payments.
For longer terms or lower credit scores, Cherry offers interest-bearing plans starting at 5.99% APR up to 35.99% APR. These are straightforward fixed-rate installment loans — no surprises.
Terms and limits
- • Plan lengths: Pay-in-4 (biweekly), 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, up to 60 months
- • Loan amounts: $200 to $50,000
- • Approval validity: 30–60 days from approval date
- • Credit reporting: Cherry reports all payment activity to Equifax. Late or missed payments will affect your credit score.
- • Prepayment: No penalties for paying off early
Best for
Patients with lower credit scores (520+), patients with ITIN numbers, patients who want true 0% interest with no risk of retroactive charges, and anyone financing cosmetic work, veneers, implants, or orthodontics up to $50,000.
Bottom line: Cherry is the most transparent dental financing option available. The true 0% APR with no deferred interest trap, combined with ITIN acceptance and an 80%+ approval rate, makes it particularly valuable for Metro Detroit's diverse patient population. The required down payment is a minor friction point, but the peace of mind on the interest terms is worth it.
Sunbit
Visit Sunbit →Type
Installment Loan
Min. Credit Score
~500
APR Range
0% – 35.99%
Approval Rate
~87–90%
What it actually is
Sunbit is a point-of-sale installment loan — similar in structure to Cherry. You apply at the practice, get an instant decision via soft credit check, and repay in fixed monthly installments. Sunbit was originally built for auto service financing and has since expanded into dental, vision, and veterinary care. It claims the highest approval rate in the industry at 87–90% of applicants, including patients with scores as low as 500 or limited credit history.
The interest structure — pay close attention
Sunbit's interest structure has two distinct programs, and it is critical to know which one you are being offered:
✅ True 0% APR Plans
Sunbit does offer genuine 0% APR plans for well-qualified borrowers. No interest accrues, no retroactive charges.
⚠️ "Avoid Paying Interest" Plans — deferred interest in disguise
Sunbit also offers promotional plans where interest accrues from day one at up to 35.99% APR, but is waived if you pay the full balance within the promotional window (typically 3 or 12 months). If you don't pay in full on time, all of that accrued interest hits your balance retroactively — the same structure as CareCredit's deferred interest. On a $5,000 procedure at 29.99% APR over 12 months, a missed deadline could cost you approximately $2,700 in surprise interest. Always confirm in writing which type of plan you are accepting.
Terms and limits
- • Plan lengths: 3 to 72 months for dental
- • Loan amounts: Up to $20,000
- • Fees: No late fees, no origination fees, no prepayment penalties
- • Down payment: Required at checkout
- • Credit reporting: Payment activity is reported to a major credit bureau (note: CA, CT, ME, MN, NJ, and NY residents — healthcare loans are not reported)
Best for
Patients with very low credit scores or no credit history who need high approval odds. Sunbit's 90% approval rate is its standout feature. Best suited for procedures under $10,000 where you can confidently manage the repayment terms you're offered.
Bottom line: Sunbit's high approval rate is genuinely impressive and helps patients who can't qualify elsewhere. But the "Avoid Paying Interest" promo structure is deferred interest by another name. Before signing, ask the office directly: "Is this a true 0% APR or an 'Avoid Paying Interest' plan?" Get it in writing. If it's the deferred structure, treat it the same way you would CareCredit — set up payments that guarantee full payoff before the deadline.
Proceed Finance
Visit Proceed Finance →Type
Installment Loan
Starting APR
8.99%
Max Term
84 months
Max Amount
$50,000+
What it actually is
Proceed Finance is a dedicated dental and medical installment loan built specifically for large treatment cases. It is not a credit card, not BNPL — it's a traditional fixed-rate loan with a hard credit pull, designed for procedures that exceed what other financing platforms can handle. Full mouth implants, All-on-4, full arch restorations, and major cosmetic cases are where Proceed shines.
The interest structure
✅ Simple interest — no deferred interest, no gimmicks
Proceed charges straightforward simple interest from the first day of the loan. Rates start at 8.99% APR for well-qualified borrowers. There are no promotional windows, no deferred interest traps, no surprise charges. What you see in your loan agreement is exactly what you pay. For large cases where you need 5–7 years to repay comfortably, this predictability is the main advantage over CareCredit or BNPL platforms.
Terms and limits
- • Plan lengths: 24 to 84 months (7 years)
- • Loan amounts: $1,000 to $50,000+
- • Credit check: Hard pull required — will affect your credit score
- • Approval: Not instant — full underwriting process
- • Best procedures: Full arch implants, All-on-4, full mouth reconstruction, major cosmetic cases
Best for
Patients financing $10,000–$50,000+ procedures who need long repayment terms and want a fixed, predictable monthly payment with no interest surprises. If CareCredit's credit limit isn't enough, or if you want to avoid any risk of a deferred interest trap on a large balance, Proceed is the right tool.
Bottom line: Proceed Finance isn't for everyone — the hard credit pull and longer approval process mean it's not a same-day solution. But for patients facing $20,000+ treatment plans, it's often the only platform designed to handle that scale with transparent, fixed terms. Many practices that offer implants use Cherry for mid-range cases and Proceed for large full-arch cases.
In-House Payment Plans
Some Metro Detroit practices manage their own payment plans — no third party involved. You work directly with the front desk to structure a schedule, usually with a down payment and automatic monthly charges to your card on file. Terms are set by the practice, not an algorithm.
The advantages: maximum flexibility, no credit check in most cases, and a practice that knows you personally. The disadvantages: limits are typically under $3,000, the practice takes on the financial risk so not every office offers them, and terms vary widely.
When calling a practice, ask: "Do you offer in-house payment plans, or do you only work with third-party financing?" — the answer tells you a lot about how patient-friendly the office is.
A Note for Patients Without a Social Security Number
If you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) rather than a Social Security Number, you are not locked out of dental financing. Two of the major options explicitly accept ITIN numbers:
- ✅CareCredit — accepts SSN or ITIN on their application form. Hard credit pull required. Minimum ~640 credit score.
- ✅Cherry Financing — accepts SSN or ITIN. Soft credit pull only. Minimum ~520 credit score. 80%+ approval rate.
For patients in Metro Detroit's Arabic-speaking, Latino, and immigrant communities who may be navigating the U.S. credit system for the first time, Cherry in particular is designed to be accessible — the soft credit check, low minimum score, and ITIN acceptance make it a realistic option even for patients with limited U.S. credit history.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Option | Type | Credit Check | Min. Score | Interest Type | ITIN | Max Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CareCredit | Credit Card | Hard pull | ~640 | Deferred interest (short) / Fixed APR (long) | ✅ Yes | $25,000 |
| Cherry | BNPL Loan | Soft pull | ~520 | True 0% APR or fixed rate | ✅ Yes | $50,000 |
| Sunbit | Installment Loan | Soft pull | ~500 | True 0% or deferred — confirm before signing | Unknown | $20,000 |
| Proceed Finance | Installment Loan | Hard pull | Good credit | Simple interest, from 8.99% APR | Unknown | $50,000+ |
| In-House | Practice Plan | Usually none | N/A | Often 0% | ✅ Usually | <$3,000 |
5 Things to Do Before Signing Any Financing Agreement
Metro Detroit Practices Known for Flexible Financing
Rankings based on verified Google review scores and review volume — not paid placement.
Garden City Family Dentistry
Westland
Known for transparent cost breakdowns before treatment and working with patients on payment options without pressure.
4.9★
1,458 reviews
North Oaks Dental, Implant & Sedation Center
Royal Oak
Experienced with implant financing for large cases including All-on-4. Staff walk patients through payment options clearly.
4.8★
1,545 reviews
Bloomfield Hills Dental Associates
Bloomfield Hills
Consistently praised for pricing transparency and working with multiple financing partners.
4.9★
1,518 reviews
Contemporary Dentistry & Implantology
Canton
Offers financing for implants and orthodontics. Patients note the team explains payment options without rushing.
4.8★
1,258 reviews
Plymouth Dentistry
Plymouth
Known for helping patients understand financing options and creating plans that fit their budget.
4.9★
858 reviews
Find a Detroit Dentist That Works With Your Budget
Browse Metro Detroit practices that offer flexible payment plans and financing options.
Browse Dentists with Financing →