Dental Gold
Also: Dental Alloy, Prosthetic Gold, Dental Gold Alloy
Dental gold is the gold alloy used in dental prosthetics such as crowns and bridges – typically with a fineness between 750 and 900, often enriched with valuable additions of platinum and palladium.
Dental gold – also known as dental alloy – refers to the precious metal alloys used to make dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges, and inlays. It is one of the most common ways that private individuals unexpectedly come into possession of precious metals: after a dental procedure or from an estate, old dental gold ends up in a drawer and can be converted into cash.
What Dental Gold Contains
Dental alloys are specifically formulated for biocompatibility and durability. The fineness is typically between 750 and 900 (75–90% gold). Unlike jewellery, dental gold is rarely hallmarked – the exact content is difficult to determine without analysis. What makes dental gold particularly valuable is that it frequently contains platinum and palladium, both of which command high precious metal prices.
Why a Simple Estimate Is Difficult
Because fineness and composition vary and tooth remnants, ceramic, or solder joints are often still attached, valuation "by eye" is unreliable. The Dental Gold Calculator provides a realistic range by drawing on typical dental alloy compositions and the current gold price. For a rough initial estimate, the total weight on a precision scale is sufficient.
From Dental Gold to Payout Amount
The actual payout depends on two things:
- The pure precious metal value (weight × fineness × spot price) – this is the melt value.
- The buyer's deduction for analysis, refining, and margin.
Reputable buyers and refineries determine the exact fineness through analysis and pay a fair share of the material value. What is realistically achievable is shown by the Buying Price Calculator; the pure material value is provided by the Melt Value Calculator.
Tax Note
Unlike investment gold, dental gold does not enjoy any special tax privileges as an investment product. The private sale of scrap gold is generally straightforward; for larger amounts, it is worth checking the speculative holding period rules.
In Brief
Dental gold is valuable scrap gold with an unknown but usually high fineness – often enriched with platinum and palladium. Because the exact content is unknown, professional analysis and a calculator-supported estimate are the best path to a fair price.