How Much Is Dental Gold Worth Today
Dec 14, 2022
{
"Title": "How Much Is Dental Gold Worth Today? A Practical Guide for Sellers",
"Date": "12/14/22",
"Content": "
A clear, step-by-step resource for anyone with dental gold to sell
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Many people have old dental crowns, bridgework, inlays, or partials tucked away in drawers. These dental restorations often contain real gold, and their value can surprise you. This guide explains what dental gold is, how to identify it, how payouts are determined, and the safest way to ship and get paid. Whether you have a single crown or several bridge pieces, the process is straightforward once you understand the basics.
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Understanding Dental Gold
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Dental gold isn’t pure gold. Dentists typically use alloys — a mix of gold and other metals — for durability. The gold content can range anywhere from 10 karat (41.7% gold) up to 22 karat (91.6% gold), although most dental work in the U.S. falls closer to 16K (about 66% gold) to 18K (75% gold). The non-gold portion often includes metals like silver, palladium, platinum, or base metals for strength.
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What Does Dental Gold Include?
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Crowns (caps that fit over teeth)
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Bridges (multi-tooth restorations)
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Inlays and onlays (fitted patches on chewing surfaces)
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Partial denture frameworks (less common, sometimes contain gold alloy)
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Factors That Affect Value
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Karat / purity: Higher gold purity means a higher payout.
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Weight: Your payout is determined by gram weight after non-gold materials are separated.
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Metal mix: Other precious metals, such as platinum or palladium, may add small additional value.
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Condition: Visible porcelain or dental cement doesn’t reduce the gold’s melt value; it is simply removed in the testing and refining process.
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Step 1: Identify and Sort Dental Gold
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First, gather all of your dental work materials. These may look like small misshapen lumps, sometimes with attached porcelain or tooth-colored material. Don’t worry—refiners are used to this.
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Check color: Dental gold often appears more yellow than common jewelry alloys.
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Look for weight: Dental pieces feel heavier than steel or ceramic of the same size.
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Separate obvious non-metal pieces: If you see pure porcelain fragments, you can carefully chip them off. If not, leave them attached rather than risk injury.
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Keep everything together: Even small chips of metal have value. Store them in a small sealed bag labeled “dental gold.”
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Important Safety Note
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Do not use strong tools or attempt to melt your dental gold on your own. Simply save the pieces as is—dental gold buyers have the right tools to process and refine them safely.
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Step 2: Weigh Your Dental Gold Items
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Most buyback offers require knowing the weight in grams. You can use a small pocket scale (available online or in office supply stores) that measures to at least 0.1 gram. Place your pieces inside a small container or directly onto the scale.
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Record the total weight: This will give you a starting point, though porcelain attachments mean the actual gold content will be less.
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Understand limitations: Without professional testing, you won’t know exact karat purity, so your own calculation is only approximate.
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For converters and purity info, you can check official standards at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or review dental alloy references in dental journals for approximate compositions.
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Step 3: Learn How Testing Works
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Legitimate refiners and buyers will test dental gold when they receive it. Common testing methods include:
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Acid test: A small scraping is exposed to acid to determine karat range.
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Electronic testers: Quick and non-destructive but approximate.
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XRF (X-ray fluorescence): A precise scan that measures percentages of gold and other metals without harming the piece.
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Buyers should provide transparent results. For example, companies like International Gold & Silver use testing to separate porcelain, weigh the remaining metal, and document karat so that payout matches real value.
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Step 4: Prepare and Ship Securely
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Mail-in kits are common. A reliable buyer typically sends a tracked and insured shipping mailer or you can build your own shipment. Here’s how to ship safely:
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Package securely: Place dental gold in a small zip bag or plastic container so nothing shifts or tears the envelope.
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Cushion: Wrap with tissue or bubble wrap inside a sturdy mailer or small box.
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Insurance: Use USPS insurance options or Registered Mail for high-value shipments. You may also use FedEx or UPS with insurance coverage.
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Track the package: Always retain tracking numbers and receipts until you’ve been paid.
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Optional: Request a Free Appraisal Kit
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Many buyers provide kits that include tamper-proof bags, prepaid labels, and insurance. This is a practical route if you are unfamiliar with shipping procedures.
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Step 5: Review Payment Options
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Once tested and valued, your payout depends on the company’s offer process. Common payment options include:
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Payment Method | Speed | Pros | Cons |
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PayPal | Same day | Fast, widely used, easy to transfer | Fees may apply |
Venmo | Same day | Simple mobile app, quick access | Transfer limits for new accounts |
Zelle | Same day | No fees, instant bank-to-bank | Not supported by all banks |
Cash App | Same day | Quick app-based access | Instant transfer fee possible |
ACH Transfer | 1-2 business days | Direct deposit into checking account | Slightly slower than instant apps |
Check | 3-7 days (mail time) | Paper record, good for bookkeeping | Slower, requires deposit |
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International Gold & Silver, for example, outlines all of these options in one place alongside testing results, simplifying the decision-making process.
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Step 6: Track, Document, and Confirm
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It’s wise to create a small file before mailing valuable items:
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Take photos of each piece of dental gold (good lighting, clear scale).
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Note the weight in grams.
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Record shipping details and keep your receipt.
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Use a simple tool like GavelBase to log what you mailed, when, and how much