Clear Choice offers payment plans through third-party lenders, not directly through the practice

Clear Choice is a dental implant and restoration chain with locations across the United States. When you receive a treatment plan at Clear Choice, the practice itself does not finance the work. Instead, they partner with external lenders who offer payment plans at the point of sale — meaning you arrange financing during your consultation or before treatment begins.

The lenders Clear Choice works with include CareCredit (a healthcare credit card), Alphaeon Credit, and sometimes conventional bank loans through partners like LendingClub or Prosper Healthcare. Which lenders are available depends on your location and the specific Clear Choice practice. The financing is not a loan from Clear Choice; it is a loan from the third-party company, and Clear Choice receives payment in full from that lender.

This matters because your terms, interest rate, and approval depend on the lender's underwriting, not Clear Choice's policies. Clear Choice cannot change the lender's decision or modify the terms once the lender approves you.

Key Takeaways

  • Clear Choice does not offer in-house financing; all payment plans come through third-party lenders like CareCredit or Alphaeon Credit.
  • You arrange financing during your initial consultation, before treatment starts, and the lender pays Clear Choice directly.
  • Interest rates and monthly payments depend on the lender's terms and your credit history, not on Clear Choice's pricing.
  • Some lenders offer promotional periods with zero interest if you pay in full within a set timeframe, typically 12 to 24 months.
  • If a lender denies you, you can ask Clear Choice which other lenders they work with or bring your own financing from a bank or credit union.

Which lenders Clear Choice works with and what they require

CareCredit is the most widely available option at Clear Choice locations. It is a healthcare-specific credit card issued by Synchrony Bank. CareCredit typically offers promotional financing — often zero interest for 6, 12, or 24 months depending on the purchase amount — if you pay the full balance within that window. After the promotional period ends, any remaining balance accrues interest at a variable rate (currently around 27.99% APR, though this changes). You need a credit score of roughly 600 or higher to be approved, though approval is not may provide.

Alphaeon Credit is another common option at Clear Choice. Alphaeon is a point-of-service lender that specializes in elective medical and dental procedures. Alphaeon typically offers fixed-rate loans with terms ranging from 24 to 84 months. Interest rates vary based on your credit score and the loan term; longer terms mean lower monthly payments but more total interest paid. Alphaeon generally requires a credit score of 600 or higher as well.

Some Clear Choice practices also accept conventional bank loans or credit lines from LendingClub, Prosper Healthcare, or your own bank or credit union. If you bring outside financing, Clear Choice will invoice the lender directly. This option is useful if you already have a relationship with a lender or if you want to shop for the lowest rate before committing to a Clear Choice lender.

How the process and approval process works

During your initial consultation at Clear Choice, the treatment coordinator will present a detailed cost estimate for your implants, abutments, crowns, or other restorations. Once you have agreed to the treatment plan, the coordinator will ask which financing option you prefer. If you choose CareCredit or Alphaeon, the coordinator will initiate the process right there — usually on a tablet or computer in the office.

The lender's process typically takes 5 to 15 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. The lender then pulls your credit report and makes an when ready or near-when ready decision. If approved, you receive a credit limit and can proceed with scheduling treatment. If denied, the coordinator can offer you other lenders or you can ask to bring your own financing.

Approval does not mean you must use the full credit limit. You only owe what you actually charge for Clear Choice treatment. If your treatment plan is $8,000 and you are approved for a $10,000 limit, you pay interest only on the $8,000.

Interest rates, terms, and what you actually pay

CareCredit's promotional periods are the lowest-cost option if you can pay in full before interest kicks in. A $10,000 procedure financed through a 24-month zero-interest promotion costs you exactly $10,000 if you pay $417 per month. If you miss a payment or carry a balance past month 24, you owe interest retroactively from the purchase date — not just on the remaining balance, but on the original amount. This retroactive interest is a significant cost if you do not pay on time.

Alphaeon's fixed-rate loans do not have this retroactive interest trap. A $10,000 loan at 12% APR over 48 months costs roughly $10,615 in total interest included in your monthly payment of about $221. The rate is locked in and does not change, and you do not face surprise interest charges if you are late — though late payments do trigger fees and may damage your credit.

Bank loans and credit union loans vary widely. Some credit unions offer rates as low as 6% to 10% APR for medical procedures if you are a member. Banks may offer 8% to 18% depending on your credit score and the loan term. Shopping around before you visit Clear Choice can save you hundreds of dollars.

What happens if you are denied by a lender

If CareCredit or Alphaeon denies your process, you have several options. First, ask the Clear Choice coordinator which other lenders they work with — some practices have relationships with four or five different companies. Second, you can explore with a different lender on your own and bring that financing to Clear Choice. Third, you can ask Clear Choice whether they offer any in-house payment plans or discounts for cash payment (some practices do, though it is not standard).

If you are denied because of a low credit score, you might improve your chances by waiting a few months, paying down existing debt, or asking a family member to co-sign the loan. Some lenders weight recent credit history more heavily than older negative marks, so a recent on-time payment history can help even if your score is still modest.

Comparing Clear Choice financing to other dental implant providers

Most major dental implant chains — Aspen Dental, Smile Direct Club's implant services, and regional implant centers — use the same third-party lenders (CareCredit, Alphaeon, and bank loans). The financing itself is not unique to Clear Choice. What differs is the cost of the procedure itself. Clear Choice's all-in pricing for a single implant typically ranges from $6,000 to $10,000 depending on location and complexity. Independent implant specialists or general dentists may charge less or more, but the financing options available to you are usually the same.

If you are shopping for implant providers, compare the total cost of treatment plus the cost of financing separately. A lower procedure cost with a higher interest rate might cost more overall than a higher procedure cost with zero-interest promotional financing.

Timing: when you pay and when treatment starts

Once your financing is approved, Clear Choice typically schedules your first appointment within one to four weeks. You do not pay anything upfront beyond what the lender requires (usually nothing for CareCredit or Alphaeon — they pay Clear Choice directly). Your first monthly payment to the lender is usually due 30 days after the loan is funded, not after treatment begins.

This means if you are approved on a Monday and your first implant surgery is scheduled for three weeks later, your first payment might be due before your surgery is complete. Plan your cash flow accordingly. Some lenders allow you to request a delayed first payment, but you must ask before the loan is funded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay off my Clear Choice loan early without a penalty?

CareCredit and Alphaeon both allow early payoff without prepayment penalties. If you pay off a CareCredit promotional loan before the zero-interest period ends, you owe no interest. If you pay it off after the promotional period, you owe the full retroactive interest. Alphaeon charges no penalty for early payoff. Bank loans vary — check your loan agreement.

What if I cannot afford the monthly payment?

Contact your lender directly, not Clear Choice. CareCredit and Alphaeon both offer hardship programs that may lower your payment or extend your loan term. You must request this before you miss a payment. Missing payments damages your credit and triggers late fees.

Do I have to use Clear Choice's lenders, or can I bring my own financing?

You can bring your own financing from a bank, credit union, or other lender. Clear Choice will invoice your lender directly. This is a good option if you already have a loan or credit line with better terms than what Clear Choice's partners offer.

What happens to my financing if I switch dentists or do not complete treatment?

You still owe the full loan amount to the lender, even if you do not complete treatment at Clear Choice. The lender does not care where the money went — they loaned it to you based on your creditworthiness, not on Clear Choice's performance. If you are unhappy with Clear Choice, discuss your options with the practice before you cancel treatment.

Can I use dental insurance to pay for implants and finance the rest?

Yes. If your insurance covers part of the implant cost, Clear Choice will bill your insurance first. You finance only the amount insurance does not cover. Tell the treatment coordinator about your insurance coverage before financing is arranged so they can calculate the correct amount to finance.