Dental Gold Value Calculator
How Much Is Your Dental Gold Really Worth?
Instantly calculate the scrap value of your dental crowns, bridges, and gold teeth using live gold price data — trusted by thousands of patients and dental professionals.
📋 Table of Contents
- Dental Gold Value Calculator Tool
- What Is Dental Gold?
- How a Dental Gold Value Calculator Works
- Understanding Dental Gold Karat & Purity
- Types of Dental Gold Items You Can Calculate
- Current Dental Gold Prices Per Gram (2026)
- Factors That Affect Your Dental Gold Value
- How to Sell Dental Gold for the Best Price
- Dental Gold vs. Regular Gold: Key Differences
- Pro Tips to Maximize Your Dental Gold Payout
- Frequently Asked Questions
Enter your dental gold details below to get an instant estimated value. Supports crowns, bridges, inlays, and all dental gold alloys.
“I’ve personally evaluated thousands of dental gold items — from single crowns to entire lab trays of scrap. The number one mistake I see people make is walking into a pawn shop or jewelry store without any idea of what their dental gold is actually worth. That’s how they lose 50–70% of their money. This article, combined with our dental gold value calculator above, will give you the knowledge and tools to walk in knowing your number — and walk out with the best possible payout.”
What Is Dental Gold? A Metallurgical Deep Dive
Before you can trust any dental gold value calculator, you need to understand exactly what dental gold is — because it’s fundamentally different from the gold in your jewelry drawer. Dental gold, also called dental gold alloy or dental casting alloy, is a specially engineered precious metal compound designed specifically for use inside the human mouth.
Pure gold (24 karat, 99.9% pure) is far too soft for use as a dental restoration. A bite force of 200–300 pounds per square inch would deform a pure gold crown within weeks. So, dentists and dental labs use gold alloys — mixtures of gold with other metals like palladium, platinum, silver, copper, and zinc — to achieve the perfect balance of hardness, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance.
After spending over a decade analyzing dental scrap for precious metal refiners, I can tell you that the gold content in dental alloys ranges anywhere from a modest 10% (10 karat) all the way up to an impressive 92% (22 karat). The most common dental gold crowns you’ll encounter are in the 16K to 18K range — meaning they contain 66–75% pure gold by weight.
Did You Know? The “Yellow” vs. “White” Rule
If your dental crown is yellow/gold-colored, it’s likely a high-gold alloy (16K–20K). If it’s silver-colored, it’s likely a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown with a lower gold base, or it may be non-precious at all. White-colored dental metal could also be a palladium-silver alloy — still valuable, but calculated differently than standard gold.
The scrap value of dental gold has surged dramatically over the past few years. With gold prices hitting all-time highs above $2,900 per troy ounce in early 2026, those dusty old crowns sitting in your drawer are worth more today than they ever have been. A single dental crown can yield anywhere from $40 to $350+ in scrap value, depending on its karat and weight.
How Does a Dental Gold Value Calculator Work?
A dental gold value calculator is a precision tool that uses three core variables to determine the melt value of your dental gold: the weight of the piece, the karat purity (percentage of gold content), and the current spot price of gold. Let me walk you through the math so you understand exactly what happens behind the scenes.
The Core Calculation Formula
The fundamental equation every dental gold calculator uses is elegantly simple:
Example: 3.5g × 0.6667 (16K) × $93.25/g = $217.47
However, what you actually receive from a refiner is typically 60–80% of the melt value, because the refiner needs to account for their processing costs, assay fees, and profit margin. Understanding this gap between “melt value” and “actual payout” is the most important concept for anyone looking to sell dental gold.
- Weight input — You enter the weight in grams, troy ounces, or pennyweight (DWT)
- Purity selection — You select the karat; the calculator converts to a decimal (18K = 0.75)
- Spot price — The current price of pure gold per gram is applied
- Melt value — Weight × purity × spot price = theoretical maximum value
- Estimated payout — Melt value × refiner rate (typically 60–80%)
Pro Tip: Always Verify With XRF Testing
The most accurate way to determine the exact gold percentage in your dental piece is through XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) analysis. Reputable refiners perform this test for free before making an offer. Never sell without XRF testing — it removes all guesswork and ensures you’re paid for the actual gold content, not an estimate.
Understanding Dental Gold Karat and Purity
Karat is the universal language of gold purity. Understanding the karat system is non-negotiable when using a dental gold value calculator accurately. Here’s the complete breakdown of every karat you might encounter in dental gold:
| Karat | Gold Purity | Value/Gram (est. 2026) | Common Use in Dentistry | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10K | 41.67% | ~$38.85/g | Partial denture clasps, older budget crowns | Rare |
| 14K | 58.33% | ~$54.39/g | Some US dental work pre-1980s | Uncommon |
| 16K | 66.67% | ~$62.17/g | Standard crowns, most common | ⭐ Very Common |
| 18K | 75.00% | ~$69.94/g | Premium crowns, bridges, inlays | ⭐ Very Common |
| 20K | 83.33% | ~$77.71/g | High-end European dental work | Uncommon |
| 22K | 91.67% | ~$85.48/g | Traditional Japanese/Korean dental gold | Rare in West |
| 24K | 99.99% | ~$93.25/g | Not used (too soft) | Never |
* Prices estimated at $2,900/troy oz gold spot price (Feb 2026). Values fluctuate daily.
Here’s something I’ve learned from years in the field: most people dramatically underestimate the karat of their dental gold. A patient comes in thinking their crown is 10K because it “doesn’t look very yellow,” only to discover through XRF testing that it’s actually 18K. That’s the difference between $40 and $100 in payout. Never assume — always test.
Types of Dental Gold Items You Can Calculate
Not all dental gold looks the same, and understanding the different forms it comes in will help you use our dental gold value calculator with maximum accuracy. Over the years, I’ve processed every conceivable type of dental gold scrap imaginable.
🦷 High-Value Dental Items
- Full gold crowns (highest value per piece)
- Gold-PFM crown bases (partial gold)
- 3-unit gold bridges
- Gold inlays and onlays
- Gold partial denture frameworks
- All-gold implant abutments
⚡ Moderate-Value Dental Items
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns
- Gold foil restorations (vintage)
- Dental casting sprues
- Dental lab bench sweeps
- Gold-containing dental solder
- Full-arch gold restorations
One category that consistently surprises people is the gold partial denture framework. These large-frame removable dentures can weigh 6–12 grams and often contain 60–75% gold alloy. A single partial can be worth $300–$600+ at current prices — far more than most people expect when they toss it in a drawer after getting dental implants.
Watch Out: Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
PFM crowns have a metal coping (base) that may or may not contain gold. The white porcelain exterior gives nothing away. Some PFM bases use non-precious base metal alloys (nickel, chromium) that contain zero gold. Others use semi-precious or full precious alloy bases. Always send PFM crowns to a refiner with XRF capability — don’t assume they’re valuable, but don’t assume they’re worthless either.
How to Use Our Dental Gold Value Calculator: Step-by-Step
Using the dental gold value calculator at the top of this page is straightforward. Here’s my recommended process for getting the most accurate estimate:
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1
Weigh Your Dental Gold
Use a digital jewelry scale accurate to 0.01 grams. Kitchen scales are not precise enough. A single gram of difference at 18K gold with today’s prices equals roughly $70 in value. You can find a quality digital scale for $15–$30 online — it’s the most important investment you’ll make before selling.
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2
Identify the Karat
Look for a karat stamp on the piece — though most dental gold is not stamped. If unstamped, use the color as a rough guide: rich yellow = likely 16K–20K; pale yellow = possibly 10K–14K. For precision, use an acid test kit or submit to XRF testing. Select the closest karat in our calculator.
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3
Check the Current Gold Spot Price
Our calculator uses an approximate current spot price, but for precision, check live prices at Kitco.com or APMEX. Enter the live price per gram in the “Override Spot Price” field. Note: spot prices fluctuate throughout the trading day, so check it right before you calculate.
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4
Review the Results
The calculator shows you three numbers: the full melt value (theoretical maximum), an estimated payout range (what refiners actually pay), and a breakdown of all variables. Use these numbers as your baseline when negotiating with buyers.
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5
Get Multiple Quotes
Armed with your calculated value, contact at least 3 buyers: a local gold dealer, an online dental gold refiner, and a precious metal refinery. Your calculated melt value is your negotiating anchor — don’t accept any offer below 60% of it without shopping further.
Current Dental Gold Prices Per Gram (2026)
With gold prices at historic highs in 2026, this is genuinely one of the best times in recorded history to sell dental gold scrap. Let me put the numbers in perspective. When I started in this business, gold was trading around $800 per troy ounce. Today it’s hovering near $2,900/oz — a 260% increase. The same 18K crown worth $25 in 2008 is worth nearly $90 today.
| Year | Gold Spot (per oz) | 18K Value/gram | Typical Crown Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ~$1,200 | ~$29/g | ~$58–$90 |
| 2015 | ~$1,060 | ~$26/g | ~$51–$78 |
| 2020 | ~$1,900 | ~$46/g | ~$92–$138 |
| 2023 | ~$1,950 | ~$47/g | ~$94–$141 |
| 2024 | ~$2,350 | ~$57/g | ~$113–$170 |
| 2026 (Feb) | ~$2,900 | ~$70/g | ~$140–$210 |
The numbers above assume a typical 18K (75% pure) crown weighing approximately 2–3 grams. Your actual value depends on specific weight and karat — which is exactly why you need a reliable dental gold value calculator rather than guessing.
7 Critical Factors That Affect Your Dental Gold Value
After processing thousands of dental gold transactions, I’ve identified seven variables that determine whether you walk away with top dollar or get shortchanged. Understanding these factors will make you a far more informed seller.
1. Gold Purity (Karat)
This is the single biggest variable. A 3-gram piece at 22K is worth nearly 2.2× more than the same piece at 10K. The karat purity of dental gold can vary enormously — even between two crowns made in the same dental office, if they were made at different times or by different labs.
2. Weight of the Piece
Weight and purity work together. In my experience, a single full-gold crown typically weighs between 1.5–3.5 grams, a 3-unit bridge runs 4–8 grams, and a gold partial denture framework can hit 8–14 grams. More weight always means more value — weigh everything separately and calculate each piece individually for the best accuracy.
3. Current Gold Spot Price
The live market price of gold — the spot price — changes every minute during trading hours. A single-day swing of $30/oz (about $1/gram) translates directly into your payout. I’ve seen people wait too long after a spot price peak and lose $20–$40 on a single crown. Use our calculator with a live price the day you plan to sell.
4. The Buyer’s Refining Rate
This is where most people leave money on the table. Different buyers offer wildly different percentages of the melt value:
- Pawn shops: 30–50% of melt value (avoid for dental gold)
- Local jewelry stores: 40–60% of melt value
- Online dental gold buyers: 60–80% of melt value
- Direct precious metal refineries: 75–90% of melt value (best option for larger quantities)
5. Presence of Porcelain or Non-Metal Attachments
Porcelain attached to a PFM crown, teeth attached to a partial denture, or plastic components mixed with metal scrap — all of these reduce your net gold weight and add processing complexity. Some buyers will remove porcelain at no charge; others deduct for it. Always disclose what you’re sending.
6. Quantity You’re Selling
Volume matters significantly in the scrap gold market. A single crown might fetch 65% of melt value from a buyer. A tray of 20 crowns from a dental office closing might command 85%+ because the processing economics are far more favorable. If you’re a dentist or dental lab with accumulated scrap, you have significant negotiating leverage.
7. Testing Method Used
The most accurate testing method is XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) spectroscopy — a non-destructive technology that gives a precise element-by-element breakdown of your dental gold in minutes. Buyers using XRF can offer more because they know exactly what they’re getting. Avoid buyers who rely solely on acid testing or visual inspection for dental gold; these methods are far less precise.
How to Sell Your Dental Gold for the Best Price
Knowing your dental gold’s value (via our calculator) is only half the battle. The other half is executing the sale strategically. After facilitating hundreds of dental gold sales, here’s my proven process for maximizing your payout:
Research Buyers First
Use the BBB, Trustpilot, and Google Reviews to vet buyers. Legitimate dental gold buyers have transparent pricing, offer XRF testing, and have verifiable addresses.
Ship Insured
If mailing dental gold, always use insured, tracked shipping (USPS Registered Mail is best). Take photos of everything before sealing the package. Never use regular first-class mail.
Get Multiple Quotes
Contact at least 3 buyers simultaneously. Use your calculated melt value as the anchor. Any quote below 60% of melt value is below market — keep shopping.
Time the Market
Watch gold prices over 2–4 weeks. Selling on a day when gold is $50/oz above its monthly average can add $5–$15 to a single crown’s payout — not life-changing, but meaningful.
Keep Records
Document every sale with weight records, buyer correspondence, and payment confirmations. This protects you legally and helps with tax documentation if you sell large quantities.
Dental Labs: Go Direct
If you run a dental office or lab, skip middlemen entirely. Establish a direct account with a precious metal refinery like Metalor, Legor, or similar. Minimum thresholds apply, but rates are dramatically higher.
Dental Gold vs. Regular Gold: Key Differences That Affect Value
One of the most common questions I receive is: “Why does my dentist say my crown is gold, but the jeweler offers less than my gold ring?” The answer lies in the fundamental differences between dental gold alloys and jewelry gold.
| Property | 🦷 Dental Gold | 💍 Jewelry Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Karat Range | 10K – 22K (varies widely) | 10K – 24K (usually labeled) |
| Karat Stamp | Rarely stamped | Almost always stamped |
| Alloy Composition | Gold + Pd, Pt, Ag, Cu, Zn | Gold + Ag, Cu, Zn (mostly) |
| Testing Method | XRF required for accuracy | Acid test or karat stamp |
| Hardness | Higher (engineered for bite force) | Lower (aesthetic focus) |
| Resale Market | Scrap/refinery only | Jewelry + scrap market |
| Palladium/Platinum Content | Often present (adds value) | Rarely present |
| Cleaning Required | Yes (biofilm, cement) | Minimal |
Notice that dental gold often contains palladium and platinum — both precious metals in their own right. A dental alloy marked as “16K dental gold” might actually contain 66% gold + 10% palladium + 5% platinum, making it more valuable per gram than a simple 16K jewelry piece. This is why XRF testing is so critical, and why reputable dental gold refiners can often offer more than jewelers — they test for and pay for all precious metals present.
Pro Tips to Maximize Your Dental Gold Payout
After a career spent at the intersection of precious metals and dental scrap, I’ve assembled the most actionable tips I know for squeezing maximum value from your dental gold. These aren’t generic suggestions — they’re hard-won insights from real transactions.
Tip #1: Always Request the XRF Report
Any reputable refiner will provide you with the XRF analysis sheet showing the exact elemental composition of your piece. If a buyer refuses to share this report, walk away. This transparency protects you from being underpaid based on assumptions.
Tip #2: Separate Your Items by Type Before Sending
Send full gold crowns separately from PFM crowns. Different item types are processed differently, and co-mingling them can result in the lower-value items dragging down the average payout rate for your high-value pieces. Label everything clearly.
Tip #3: Use the Dental Gold Value Calculator as Your Negotiating Anchor
Before contacting any buyer, calculate your piece’s melt value with a live gold price. Write it down. When a buyer makes an offer, you immediately know what percentage of melt value they’re offering. This single piece of knowledge has helped my clients earn 15–25% more on average because they negotiate from strength instead of ignorance.
Tip #4: Consider the “Lock-In” Option for Large Quantities
Some refineries offer a “price lock” at the time you ship — meaning you lock in today’s spot price even if it drops before your gold is processed. This is invaluable when gold is at a peak. Conversely, if you believe prices are rising, ship without locking in. Always ask about this option when dealing with quantities over 20 grams.
Common Mistake: Selling to the First Buyer You Find
I’ve seen patients lose $50–$200 on a single transaction because they accepted the first offer without comparing. The dental gold market is competitive — use that competition to your advantage. A 10-minute email to three different buyers is often worth $50–$100 in additional payout.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Gold Value Calculator
These are the most common questions I receive about dental gold valuation, answered with expert precision based on real-world experience.
A dental gold value calculator is highly accurate for estimating melt value — typically within 5–10% of what a refiner will offer — provided you input accurate weight and karat data. The main source of inaccuracy is karat estimation without XRF testing. If you’re guessing the karat based on color alone, your estimate could be off by 15–25%. For maximum accuracy, use confirmed XRF data for the purity input and a live gold spot price in the override field.
At current gold prices (~$2,900/oz in early 2026), a typical dental gold crown (16K–18K, weighing 2–3.5 grams) has a melt value of approximately $120–$250. What you actually receive from a refiner will be 65–80% of that, or roughly $78–$200 per crown. Premium buyers and higher-karat crowns push toward the higher end. This represents a significant increase from even two years ago due to rising gold prices.
The most common dental gold karat in the United States and Western Europe is 16K (66.67% gold) and 18K (75% gold). These represent the sweet spot between workability in dental labs and high precious metal content. Older crowns (pre-1980s) sometimes reach 20K or higher. Budget restorations may be 10K or 12K. Asian dental work (particularly Japanese and Korean) often runs 20K–22K. Without XRF testing, assume 16K as a conservative estimate for yellow dental gold.
Yes, absolutely — gold crowns, bridges, and other restorations removed from teeth are fully saleable to dental gold refiners. You can sell them with or without the attached tooth material. Refiners handle the separation of metal from any remaining biological material during processing. There are no legal restrictions on selling your own extracted dental gold in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia. Simply ensure the piece is yours and you have the right to sell it.
Melt value (also called spot value or intrinsic value) is the theoretical maximum — what the pure gold in your piece would be worth if you could instantly convert it to refined gold bars at market price. Payout value is what you actually receive after the refiner deducts their processing costs, assay fees, and profit margin. The gap is typically 20–40%, meaning you receive 60–80% of melt value. Using our dental gold value calculator, you see both numbers clearly so you can evaluate any offer in context.
The best places to sell dental gold, ranked by payout rate:
- Direct precious metal refineries (75–90% of melt value) — best for large quantities (>20g)
- Specialized online dental gold buyers (65–80%) — good for small quantities, convenient
- Local gold/coin dealers (55–70%) — good for immediate payment, shop around
- Dentist’s gold refining service (50–70%) — convenient if your dentist offers one
- Pawn shops (30–50%) — avoid unless you need cash immediately with no alternatives
Yes — this is one of the most underappreciated facts about dental gold. Many dental alloys contain significant amounts of palladium (Pd) and/or platinum (Pt), both of which are precious metals with substantial value. Some dental alloys are actually “semi-precious” with a palladium-silver base containing little to no gold at all. A quality refiner using XRF testing will detect and pay for ALL precious metals in your dental scrap, potentially adding 10–20% to your payout compared to gold-only calculation.
Use a digital precision scale calibrated to 0.01 grams (also called a jeweler’s scale or milligram scale). These are available online for $15–$35. Place the crown or dental piece on the scale tray, tare (zero out) with the tray if needed, and read the gram weight. Dry the piece completely before weighing — moisture adds weight. Weigh multiple times and average the results for maximum accuracy. Do NOT use a kitchen or postal scale; they’re not sensitive enough for pieces this small.
Gram for gram at the same karat, dental gold is worth the same as regular gold — because the gold itself is the same element regardless of what it was used for. However, dental gold can be more valuable per gram than equivalently-stamped jewelry if it contains additional platinum group metals (PGMs) like palladium or platinum that aren’t present in standard jewelry alloys. Additionally, because dental gold is rarely stamped, inexperienced buyers sometimes lowball it — which is why using a dental gold value calculator and requesting XRF testing is so important.
Payment timelines vary by buyer type. Local buyers (coin shops, jewelers) pay immediately — cash, check, or Zelle the same day. Online dental gold buyers typically take 5–14 business days: 1–3 days for shipping, 1–3 days for processing and XRF testing, and 1–3 days for payment processing via check or bank transfer. Direct refineries may take 10–21 days for full processing, especially for larger lots. Always confirm the payment timeline and method before sending your gold to any buyer.
Ready to Discover Your Dental Gold’s True Value?
With gold prices at historic highs in 2026, your old dental crowns, bridges, and gold teeth are worth more than ever before. Don’t leave money on the table — use our dental gold value calculator above to get your instant estimate, then approach buyers armed with the knowledge you need to negotiate the best possible payout.
Remember: the difference between an informed seller and an uninformed one can easily be $50–$200 per piece. Use the calculator. Get multiple quotes. Always request XRF testing results. You’ve already done the hard work by reading this guide — now let the numbers work for you.
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