Dental Gold
Also: dental gold, dental restoration gold, dental alloy
Dental gold is the gold alloy found in dental restorations such as crowns and bridges — usually with a fineness between 750 and 900, often with valuable additions of platinum and palladium.
Dental gold — also dental restoration gold — refers to the precious-metal alloys from which dental restorations such as crowns, bridges and inlays are made. It is one of the most common forms in which private individuals unexpectedly come into possession of precious metal: after a dental treatment or as part of an inheritance, old dental gold ends up in the drawer and can be turned into money.
What dental gold contains
Dental alloys are specially designed for oral compatibility and durability. The fineness usually lies between 750 and 900 (75–90 % gold). Unlike jewellery, dental gold is rarely hallmarked — the exact content can hardly be read off without analysis. Dental gold is made additionally valuable by the fact that it frequently contains platinum and palladium, which likewise achieve high precious metal prices.
Why a simple estimate is difficult
Because fineness and composition vary and tooth remnants, ceramic or solder joints often still adhere, an "eyeball" valuation is unreliable. The dental gold calculator provides a realistic range by assuming typical dental alloys and applying the current gold price. For a first rough orientation, the total weight on a precision scale is sufficient.
From dental gold to the payout amount
The actual payout amount depends on two things:
- The pure precious metal value (weight × fineness × daily price) — this is the melt value.
- The buyer's discount for analysis, refining and margin.
Reputable buyers and refineries determine the fineness exactly by analysis and pay a fair share of the material value. What is realistic in the end is shown by the purchase price calculator; the pure material value is provided by the melt value calculator.
Tax note (Malta)
Unlike investment gold, dental gold enjoys no special tax privilege as an investment product; investment gold is VAT-exempt (EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC), whereas the silver, platinum and palladium content of dental gold is subject to 18 % VAT at Malta's standard rate. The private sale of scrap gold is, however, generally straightforward: Malta levies no capital gains tax on private disposals of movable assets such as precious metals (Maltese capital gains tax applies only to immovable property, securities and business interests). This is a note, not tax advice. Sources: cfr.gov.mt, legislation.mt.
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 missing, an expert analysis and a calculator-supported expected value are the best route to a fair price.