Sell Your Dental Gold

Yes, dental gold is often surprisingly valuable. Dental alloys typically contain 60-90% gold — significantly more than 9ct jewellery. A single gold crown weighing 2-3 grams can be worth a considerable amount at current gold prices. Many dental alloys also contain platinum and palladium, which are also precious metals. Some specialist dealers will test and pay for these additional metals separately, increasing your total payout.

It is appreciated if you can clean it, but professional refiners are equipped to handle dental scrap in any condition. You do not need to remove all biological matter yourself if it is difficult. Basic cleaning with warm soapy water and a toothbrush is helpful. Dealers will deduct a small amount for any non-gold material (tooth, cement, porcelain) still attached, so cleaner pieces get more accurate valuations.

Dental gold doesn't conform to standard carat ratings because it is a specialist alloy. However, most dental gold alloys contain between 60% and 90% gold, which is roughly equivalent to 16ct-22ct. The exact composition varies by manufacturer and era. Modern dental alloys are precisely formulated and often include platinum, palladium, and silver alongside gold. A dealer with XRF testing equipment can determine the exact composition.

Not all scrap gold dealers accept dental gold, so check before visiting. Specialist precious metal refiners are usually the best option as they have the equipment to accurately assay dental alloys. Online postal services like Hatton Garden Metals also accept dental gold and often pay higher rates than high-street shops. Avoid high-street jewellers and pawnbrokers for dental gold — they typically lack the specialist testing equipment and offer conservative estimates.

A single gold crown typically weighs 2-3 grams, though this varies by tooth size and design. At current gold prices, with dental alloys averaging 70-80% gold content, a single crown can be worth a meaningful sum. Multiple crowns or a bridge can add up quickly. The additional platinum and palladium content in some alloys can increase the value further. Use our calculator with the weight of your dental gold and select 14ct as a conservative estimate for the purity.