How we picked
Filtered to lenders with documented healthcare-specialty programs that underwrite orthodontic specialty practices specifically. Practice-acquisition specialists ranked first because most ortho practice transitions are $800K-$2.5M deals where APR materially drives outcomes. SBA prioritized for multi-location expansion. Equipment specialists ranked for CBCT, iTero, and Invisalign infrastructure. Generalist MCA included for fast working capital and clear-aligner inventory bridge financing.
Top picks at a glance
| Lender | Best for | Amount | Speed | Min credit | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lendeavor (Provide) | Best for orthodontic practice acquisition and partnership buy-in | $25,000 – $5,000,000 | Funding in 5 – 20 days | 650+ | Apply → |
| Bankers Healthcare Group (BHG) | Best unsecured working capital for established orthodontists (700+ credit) | $20,000 – $500,000+ | Funding in 3 – 7 business days | 700+ typical for best terms | Apply → |
| Live Oak Bank | Best SBA 7(a) for orthodontic expansion and multi-location | $25,000 – $25,000,000+ | 30 – 90 days underwriting (SBA standard) | 680+ typical | Apply → |
| Beacon Funding | Best equipment financing for CBCT, iTero, and 3D-printing infrastructure | $5,000 – $1,000,000 | Funding in 1 – 5 business days | 550+ | Apply → |
| Credibly | Best fast working capital for Invisalign inventory and emergency equipment | $5K – $600K | As fast as 4 hours | 550+ | Apply → |
| Accion Opportunity Fund | Best CDFI for first-generation orthodontists and minority-owned ortho practices | $5,000 – $250,000 | Funding in 5 – 15 business days | 550+ (more flexible than banks) | Apply → |
Advertiser disclosure: Fundnode may earn referral fees from funders listed on this page when you apply through us. This does not affect editorial rankings — see our methodology.
Detailed reviews — our 6 picks
#1 · Best for orthodontic practice acquisition and partnership buy-in
Lendeavor (Provide)
Max amount
$5,000,000
Cost
APR 6 – 14% (practice acquisition)
Speed
Funding in 5 – 20 days
Min credit
650+
Why we picked it
Lendeavor (Provide) specializes in dental practice acquisition with DDS-credentialed underwriting and has dedicated orthodontic specialty programs. APR 6-14% on acquisitions vs 15-25% generalist. Faster decision than SBA (5-20 days vs 60-90). Best fit for partnership buy-in to an established ortho practice, buying out a retiring orthodontist, or DSO-backed acquisition rollups in the $800K-$2.5M range.
The strength
Specialized in dental and veterinary practice financing — practice acquisition, equipment, working capital, real estate. Now operating as 'Provide.' Doctor-specific underwriting models. Faster than SBA for similar use cases.
The watch-out
Dental/vet-only — not for other healthcare verticals. Best terms require professional credentials (DDS, DMD, DVM) and clean credit.
Qualifications
12 months
$10,000+
650+
#2 · Best unsecured working capital for established orthodontists (700+ credit)
Bankers Healthcare Group (BHG)
Max amount
$500,000+
Cost
Term loan APR 12 – 22%
Speed
Funding in 3 – 7 business days
Min credit
700+ typical for best terms
Why we picked it
BHG specializes in DDS/DMD/MD/DVM financing with $20B+ deployed across healthcare. Unsecured term loans up to $500K at 12-22% APR — no collateral lien on practice equipment, which preserves CBCT scanners and chairs as collateral for future financing rounds. Useful for orthodontists who want growth capital without encumbering specialty equipment that will be needed for future SBA borrowing.
The strength
Specialized in healthcare practitioners — MDs, dentists, veterinarians, PAs, pharmacists. Faster underwriting than SBA with practice-specific risk models. Unsecured options available up to $500K. $20B+ in funding across healthcare professionals.
The watch-out
Healthcare-only — not for other industries. Best rates require excellent credit (700+). Sales process can be aggressive — multiple follow-up calls common.
Qualifications
24 months
$15,000+
700+ typical for best terms
#3 · Best SBA 7(a) for orthodontic expansion and multi-location
Live Oak Bank
Max amount
$25,000,000+
Cost
SBA 7(a) APR prime + 2.75% to 4.75%
Speed
30 – 90 days underwriting (SBA standard)
Min credit
680+ typical
Why we picked it
#1 SBA 7(a) lender with a dedicated dental and orthodontic underwriting team. Up to $5M for acquisition, real estate, or additional locations. SBA pricing (prime + 2.75-4.75%) is the cheapest capital available for ortho practices. 60-90 day timeline but materially worth it for the APR savings on any deal over $250K — particularly second-location build-outs that pair CBCT + intraoral scanner + 6-8 operatories + working capital into one package.
The strength
Largest SBA 7(a) lender in the US by dollar volume for 7+ consecutive years. Industry-specialty teams (veterinary, dental, funeral homes, self-storage, agriculture, hotels). Deep understanding of niche-vertical underwriting. Dramatically cheaper than MCA for qualifying merchants.
The watch-out
Long underwriting timeline (45-90 days typical). Requires strong credit (680+), 2+ years operating, clean financials. Industries outside their specialty get less attention.
Qualifications
24 months
$20,000+
680+ typical
#4 · Best equipment financing for CBCT, iTero, and 3D-printing infrastructure
Beacon Funding
Max amount
$1,000,000
Cost
APR 8 – 25%
Speed
Funding in 1 – 5 business days
Min credit
550+
Why we picked it
Beacon funds the high-ticket specialty equipment most general lenders won't touch — Carestream / Planmeca / i-CAT CBCT scanners ($80K-$180K), iTero Element / 3Shape TRIOS intraoral scanners ($25K-$45K), SprintRay or Formlabs 3D printers for in-house aligner manufacturing ($20K-$60K), treatment chairs and orthodontic operatory build-out. 550+ credit acceptable. Equipment-secured structure (APR 10-22%) is materially cheaper than MCA for any single piece over $25K. Section 179 deduction applies in year of purchase.
The strength
Equipment financing with broader industry acceptance than larger competitors. Will fund specialty equipment (food trucks, photography gear, fitness equipment, salon equipment). Lower credit threshold (550+).
The watch-out
Higher rates than bank equipment financing for prime credit. Smaller deal cap. Industry specialization can mean less depth in any single vertical.
Qualifications
12 months
$10,000+
550+
#5 · Best fast working capital for Invisalign inventory and emergency equipment
Credibly
Max amount
$600K
Cost
Factor 1.11+ (MCA)
Speed
As fast as 4 hours
Min credit
550+
Why we picked it
When Invisalign case fees need fast pre-payment for a treatment-plan surge, a CBCT scanner fails the week before a busy month, or marketing spend needs to scale for a new-patient campaign, Credibly funds in as fast as 4 hours. 550+ credit, 6+ months TIB, $15K+/mo revenue. Multi-product (MCA + LOC + term) — LOC structure is cheaper than MCA for recurring Invisalign inventory cycles, term for equipment replacement.
The strength
March 2026 API V2 + Cloudsquare integration — most modern submission UX in MCA. $3B+ deployed, 60K+ SMBs. Publishes factor rates honestly (starting 1.11 for A-paper).
The watch-out
The 1.11 headline is the A-paper floor; average factor is closer to 1.32. ISO commission terms aren't public.
Qualifications
6 months
$15,000
550+
#6 · Best CDFI for first-generation orthodontists and minority-owned ortho practices
Accion Opportunity Fund
Max amount
$250,000
Cost
APR 8.49% – 24.99%
Speed
Funding in 5 – 15 business days
Min credit
550+ (more flexible than banks)
Why we picked it
Mission-driven CDFI with APR 8.49-24.99% — dramatically cheaper than MCA equivalents. Accion explicitly funds first-generation healthcare professionals, BIPOC-owned practices, and immigrant orthodontists transitioning from associate to ownership. $5K-$250K, 5-15 day timeline. The right tool for refinancing higher-cost MCA stacked during practice startup, or for younger orthodontists building credit while opening their first location.
The strength
Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) — government-supported mission lender for underserved markets. Lower credit thresholds (550+). Strong support resources beyond just lending — coaching, networking. Lower APRs than alternative MCA equivalents.
The watch-out
Long underwriting timeline (5-15 days). Application paperwork heavier than fintech competitors. Maximum loan size ($250K) caps mid-market use.
Qualifications
12 months
$4,000+
550+ (more flexible than banks)
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best loan for buying an orthodontic practice?
- Lendeavor (Provide) for fast DDS-specific underwriting on practices $500K-$2.5M with 5-20 day timelines. Live Oak Bank SBA 7(a) for the lowest APR if you can wait 60-90 days. Typical ortho acquisitions $800K-$2.5M financed at 6-12% APR with these specialists vs 15-25% with generalist alt-fin. On a $1.5M acquisition, the APR difference compounds to $200K+ in interest savings over a 10-year term.
- How do I finance a $150K CBCT cone-beam scanner?
- Beacon Funding or Currency Capital for equipment-secured financing (APR 10-22%, equipment serves as collateral). Materially cheaper than MCA equivalent — a $150K MCA at factor 1.35 costs $52,500 in 12 months as daily ACH. The same $150K on a 5-year equipment loan at 14% APR costs ~$58K total interest spread over 5 years, leaving cash flow intact for Invisalign inventory and staff payroll. Section 179 deduction applies in year of purchase.
- Can a new orthodontist with just-finished residency get practice financing?
- Yes — Lendeavor and BHG both underwrite newly-credentialed orthodontists actively. The DDS + orthodontic specialty credential + projected practice cash flow + 700+ personal credit matter more than business history. Typical first-practice financing: $300K-$800K for equipment package (CBCT + iTero + 4-6 operatories), build-out, and working capital. Live Oak SBA 7(a) also funds de novo ortho startups when paired with experienced practice management and detailed financial projections.
- Should I take an MCA against Invisalign case fee pre-payments?
- Almost never as a fixed MCA. Invisalign case fees ($1,400-$2,200 paid upfront per case) create lumpy cash flow that doesn't match daily ACH structure. Instead, use a Credibly line of credit drawn only when a treatment-plan surge requires inventory pre-payment — you only pay interest on the drawn portion, and the LOC pays down naturally as patient autopay flows in over the 18-30 month treatment period. The structural match between LOC repayment and patient AR is materially better than fixed-MCA daily debits.
Related reading
- Best MCA funders for dental practices 2026
- Best medical practice funding 2026
- How to qualify for an MCA in 2026
- The full 2026 ranking — 100 funders
Methodology
How we chose
Ranking criteria
- Use-case fit — funder must qualify the merchant profile this page targets (credit, time-in-business, revenue, industry).
- Pricing transparency — published factor-rate or APR-equivalent disclosure outweighs marketing-only quotes.
- Speed-to-fund — verified time from signed contract to ACH deposit, not 'as fast as' marketing claims.
- Contract terms — daily/weekly debit structure, prepayment treatment, COJ / personal guarantee posture.
- Customer-experience signals — BBB profile, Trustpilot, ISO chatter, and direct merchant feedback collected via Fundnode applications.
Sources consulted
- Funder-published rate cards, contract templates, and disclosure pages (refreshed quarterly).
- Public regulatory filings — California DFPI commercial-financing disclosures, New York commercial-financing disclosure law filings.
- Direct merchant feedback collected through Fundnode's /qualify funnel (n > 200 since 2026-01).
- ISO desk operator interviews — anonymized commentary on approval patterns and stipulations.
Update cadence
Reviewed quarterly. Last updated 2026-06-24.
Conflict of interest
Fundnode may earn referral fees from funders listed on this page when merchants apply through us. Rankings are editorial and independent of fee economics — funders cannot pay for placement.