I am a dentist and have some old gold crowns that I have recently taken out of patients mouths. At what point does it become profitable to send them in for refining. Do I need to have 20-30 crowns before it makes sense? — Dr. Norton
It can be hard to judge how much precious metal is in dental gold scrap because so many different alloys are used in the industry. Typically dental gold alloys range in the 10 to 22 karat range with 16 karat gold being the most common. A 10 karat crown would have 41.6% gold while a 22 karat crown would have 91.5% so there can be a big difference in value even for two crowns of the exact same weight.
Dentists also use a lot of silver-colored alloys for crowns and bridges that can have high precious metal content. Despite their color, they may have a fairly sizeable proportion of gold or be made with other precious metals like platinum or palladium. Unfortunately, without testing equipment, it is often difficult to tell the difference between these precious alloys and other “white” alloys that have no scrap value whatsoever.
Of course, the price of gold on the day your gold crowns are received for refining will also impact the value.
The last major variable is who you are going to sell the scrap dental gold to. If you sell it to the same company that is supplying you with other dental products, then they are probably just going to take a cut and pass the crowns to a precious metal refiner. However, if you only have one or two, they may batch it with crowns and bridges from other dentists as many refiners will not accept small quantities.
If you work with us at Arch Enterprises, you do not need a minimum quantity of dental gold to receive payment. We will evaluate your items and pay you based on the weight and quality of the gold in the crowns. We have analytic equipment that can evaluate each piece individually for the gold, silver, platinum and palladium content. We pay 85% of the metal value back to you in a check in 2-3 business days. We are endorsed by dental associations and have worked regularly with many dentists.
If you need some basic guidelines, let’s assume that the average crown weighs 2.5 grams or about .08 troy ounces (the value in which gold is traded) and that the price for the day is $1,000 per troy ounce. Based on this, a
- A 2.5 gram crown made of 10 karat alloy (41.6% gold) would be worth (.08 x.416 x 1,000) or $33.28 before refining costs of approximately 15%
- A 2.5 gram crown made of 16 karat alloy (66.6% gold) would be worth (.08 x.666 x 1,000) or $53.28 before refining costs of approximately 15%
- A 2.5 gram crown made of 22 karat alloy (91.5% gold) would be worth (.08 x.915 x 1,000) or $73.28 before refining costs of approximately 15%
18 comments
My dentist gives their patients the gold back. I was able to get $16.00 for my crown. She had to replace it.
I have dental……white gold? It was used as a base for several partials….in essence the plastic was formed around these pieces of metal. Is it of any value?
Thank you
Jim zubkus
Hi Jim,
Thank you for your comment. It would really depend what the weight and purity of your dental gold is. If it is pretty light less than a few grams, it would probably not be worth sending in. Can you separate the plastic from the metal? Please see if you can get an accurate weight of the metal and maybe a pic would help. Fill out that info on our RFQ form here http://www.precious-metal-refining.info/request-estimate/.
Best,
Arch
Does anyone pay money for silver crowns?
Hi Albert,
If you have a large volume, we may be able to help. But if you just had a few probably would not be worth refining. If you do have a large volume, please fill out our contact form and let us know the quantity. http://www.archenterprises.com/contact-us.html
My dentist extracted my wisdom tooth today. The filling was made of silver. How much could a tooth full of silver be worth today?
Hi Michael,
Thank you for your question. The value of a silver item depends on the quantity you have and the purity of the metal. You may find our precious metal calculator helpful (remember that you have to weigh the silver ONLY, not the combined weight of the silver and the tooth).
I have a platinum bridge. What is it’s purity?
I have 3-4 16 karat gold, some rings that ate 16-18 karat, and a gold watch, which is a pocket watch with chain, along with some gold leaf earrings, and some gold/diamond rings. Approximate Cali please?
Sorry, I can’t text I guess, I meant are 16-18 karat, and approximate value. This was my step-dad, and I can’t continue to hold on to this stuff. Not money grubber, but I know gold and diamonds are valuable. My dad was not a cheapskate, not was he into fake stuff. Thanks.
Again, lol. Three or four crowns/ caps that are 16-18 karat.
I have old bental made in Itally,how much may it cost if I sell it?
I have a set of Collectable spoons that are Silver with different designs like one is a replica of a Real Cruise ship that was 40 years ago and it really took passengers on trips .. My Question these are small spoons and which way would I get the Most Money .. Selling them for the Silver or as Collectable Spoons with thier real stories? Each has a Different Story? Thank you for any help you can give me..
I weighed scrap gold color crowns and fillings at 33g. I, also had silver metals of bridges and fillings that weighed another 18g. What would be the approximate low ball value?
Do you think a partial would be worth sending in
I had a decayed tooth that was part of a metal bridge. The oral surgeon had to cut the bridge and extract the bad tooth. He gave me an envelope to send the tooth and cut partial bridge in to a recycling company in Kansas City, MO. I never sent it in and since then I have had 2 more teeth with metal crowns extracted. Can I send these in to a tooth metal recycling center for money? I feel there is some monetary value to the teeth, otherwise why would the oral surgeon have given me the envelope (which I still have) just for the one tooth.
I dont think it right that you would want to sell someone elses posetions, you were obviously aware that by keeping the gold crowns from your patient’s were of some value, you should have given the gold crowns etc to the patient, advising them they might be able to get money, i think u should look through yr database of patients, find out who the gold belonged to and call them letting them no, after all it costs many a patient that doesn’t have health insurance a lot of money to visit their dentist, especially the vulnerable and eldery patient. Do the right thing and call them please.
Outside of crowns, what is worth money? What about partials, but’s, implants?
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