How to Determine a Gold Crown’s Value
To determine the exact precious metal content, the gold dental crown would need to be assayed.
This test should be performed by a reputable precious metal refinery (check its Google Business Profile for reviews, as well as Better Business Bureau before you go).
After the exact amount of precious metal content is known, the value is calculated based on the spot price of gold or the other precious metals it may contain.
Precious metal prices are fixed daily by the London Bullion Market Association and the London Platinum and Palladium Market.
When Does a Dental Crown Typically Get Replaced
The best time to sell a gold dental crown is, of course, when it needs to be replaced, based on dentist recommendations.
Generally speaking, dental crowns may last five to 15 years, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, it depends on the amount of wear and tear.
Some behaviors can shorten the life of a dental crown, including:
- Teeth grinding
- Ice chewing
- Nail biting
- Using your teeth as a tool for opening things
Dental patients may ask to keep their gold dental crown after extraction. Others may not. Individuals or dental offices may choose to bring their extracted gold dental crown into a precious metal refinery to determine its value.
What Is a Gold Dental Crown’s Value?
When teeth get damaged, dentists sometimes recommend a dental crown. It goes onto your tooth like a cap. They’re often used to strengthen a weakened tooth, fix a cracked tooth, or to cover up a root canal, dental implant or discoloration.
Dental crowns can be made of many different materials, including metal (gold, palladium, nickel and chromium), porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-resin, all-ceramic or all-porcelain, and pressed ceramic. Out of all of the compositions, metal dental crowns tend to have the greatest longevity, due to their strength and durability. They can withstand all of the biting and chewing we do to break down food on a daily basis for years.
However, due to their metallic color, they’re not always ideal for visual appearance. For that reason, gold dental crowns are often reserved for out-of-sight molars.
In addition to their durability, gold dental crowns also have another advantage. After extraction, they may still be worth something.
How much exactly?
That depends on the material.
What is a Gold Crown Made From?
Dental crowns often contain some amount of precious metal. Based on the name alone, you may think that gold crowns are made of, well, gold. In actuality, they can be made up of a combination of metals, such as copper mixed with nickel or chromium.
The gold dental crown’s value depends on which precious metal it contains — and how much of it.
As a rough gauge, gold crowns may be worth anywhere from $0 to $100, but it can vary widely depending on the content.
Other Dental Scrap That May Be Valuable
Gold dental crowns aren’t the only dental scrap that could lead to a payout.
Precious metal refineries, such as Manhattan Gold & Silver, often also purchase the following nonhazardous recyclable waste from dental offices:
- Bridges
- Bridgework
- Casting well material
- Clasps
- Clippings
- Dental crowns
- Dental grindings
- Inlays
- Partials
- Porcelain fused metal
Whatever alloys you use in your dental practice, Manhattan Gold & Silver can quickly assess your dental scrap and provide a no-obligation estimate.
If you opt to move forward, the money earned can be invested right back into your practice.
Who knew selling dental scrap could be such a crowning achievement?
