A health savings account (HSA) and a flexible spending account (FSA) both let you pay for medical and dental care with money that is not taxed. An HSA pairs with a high-deductible health plan and rolls over year to year; an FSA is set up through an employer and usually must be spent within the plan year. Used well, either can lower what dental work really costs. Below are seven practical ways to use them, followed by five northern Utah practices to consider, starting with Stubbs Dental, which focuses on implant care.
How can you use an HSA or FSA for dental care?
1. Can you pay for dental implants?
Yes. IRS Publication 502 lists dental treatment and artificial teeth as qualifying medical expenses, which generally includes implants, bridges, and dentures. Because the money goes in before taxes, paying with it effectively discounts treatment by your tax rate. Purely cosmetic work, such as teeth whitening, does not qualify.
2. What everyday dental care qualifies?
Most of it. Cleanings, exams, X-rays, fillings, extractions, crowns, and root canals are eligible, along with orthodontic treatment that corrects a dental problem. Copays and deductibles under your dental insurance count too.
3. How much can you put in for 2026?
For 2026, the IRS allows up to $4,400 in an HSA for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage, plus a $1,000 catch-up contribution if you are 55 or older. The health FSA limit is $3,400 per employee. If you are planning major dental work, knowing these caps helps you decide how much to set aside.
4. Can you use your full FSA election before you have contributed it?
In most cases, yes. Under the IRS uniform coverage rule, your entire annual health FSA election is available from the first day of the plan year, even though contributions come out of each paycheck. That makes an FSA useful for a large dental expense early in the year.
5. What happens to FSA money you do not spend?
FSAs are generally use-it-or-lose-it, but employers may offer one of two exceptions: a carryover of up to $680 from 2026 into 2027, or a grace period of up to two and a half months after the plan year ends. Employers can choose one or neither, not both. Check your plan and schedule dental work so the funds do not expire.
6. Should you plan contributions around upcoming treatment?
Yes. If you expect implants or other major work next year, raise your FSA election during open enrollment, which for many employers falls in the fall. HSA owners can build a balance over several years, since HSA funds never expire and can often be invested. The IRS has already set 2027 HSA limits at $4,500 for self-only coverage and $9,000 for family coverage.
7. Can you combine accounts with insurance and family care?
Yes. HSA and FSA funds can pay for eligible dental care for your spouse and tax dependents, and they can cover what insurance leaves behind. If you have an HSA, your employer may also offer a limited-purpose FSA restricted to dental and vision costs, letting you use both at once.
Which northern Utah practices can help you plan dental spending?
- Stubbs Dental
- Dr. Greg A. Roberts Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Valley Implants & Oral Surgery
- Aspire Surgical
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons of Utah
1. Stubbs Dental
Dr. David Stubbs, DDS, founded Stubbs Dental Implant Center in 2014. He holds a dental degree from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and received post-graduate clinical training as a U.S. Navy officer. The practice focuses on implant care, from single implants to full-arch All-on-X, with bone grafting and zygomatic implants for patients with limited bone.
For patients timing HSA or FSA spending, a free consultation with 3D CBCT imaging produces a treatment plan and estimate you can budget around before open enrollment. The practice also offers a free implant cost guide and help with financing and insurance, and has offices in Layton, Bountiful, Murray, and Lehi.
2. Dr. Greg A. Roberts Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
An oral and maxillofacial surgery office in Murray.
3. Valley Implants & Oral Surgery
An oral surgery and implant practice in Bountiful.
4. Aspire Surgical
An oral surgery practice with a location in Murray.
5. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons of Utah
An oral surgery practice with an office in Bountiful.
How do you make the most of your account?
HSAs and FSAs work best when your contributions match a real treatment plan. Get an estimate for the dental work you need, check your plan’s carryover or grace period rules, and set your election before open enrollment closes. Then schedule a consultation so you know exactly what to budget for in the year ahead.
