That old gold crown isn’t the 24-karat treasure you might think. Pure gold is actually too soft to handle daily chewing, so it’s always mixed with other metals to create a strong dental alloy. This special blend is what makes determining the true dental gold purity so important. The final payout isn’t just about the gold; it’s about the entire mix of precious metals, which often includes valuable platinum and palladium. We’ll clear up the confusion between dental gold vs real gold and show you what really determines the dental gold price per gram, so you can sell your items with total confidence.
Key Takeaways
- It’s a Precious Metal Alloy, Not Pure Gold: The value of your dental gold is determined by its specific blend of metals, which often includes not just gold but also valuable platinum and palladium. A professional analysis is the only way to identify this unique composition and get paid for its true worth.
- Value Hinges on Purity, Weight, and Market Price: Your final offer is calculated based on three key factors: the purity (karat) of the alloy, its exact weight, and the live market price of the metals it contains. You don’t need to clean your items, as their cosmetic condition doesn’t affect the price.
- A Professional Evaluation Guarantees a Fair Price: While online calculators offer a rough guess, an in-person appraisal using XRF technology provides a precise, scientific reading of your dental gold’s value. Working with a trusted expert ensures a transparent process and a competitive, on-the-spot offer.
What Is Dental Gold and Why Is It Valuable?
If you’ve ever had a gold crown or bridge replaced, you might have a small, forgotten treasure tucked away in a drawer. Dental gold refers to the special metal alloys used for fillings, crowns, and other dental work. For decades, gold was the material of choice for dentists because it’s incredibly durable and biocompatible, meaning it doesn’t harm the body.
But what makes it valuable today? It’s simple: the precious metals inside. That old dental work isn’t just a keepsake; it’s a tangible asset containing gold, and often other valuable metals like platinum, palladium, and silver. When you decide to sell your valuables, dental gold is one of those surprising items that can put real cash in your pocket. Its worth is tied directly to the market price of these metals, making it a smart item to have appraised, especially if it’s been sitting around for years.
The Benefits of Using Gold in Dentistry
There’s a good reason dentists relied on gold for so long—it’s simply one of the best materials for the job. Beyond its obvious value, gold is remarkably biocompatible, which means it gets along well with the human body and rarely causes allergic reactions. This made it a safe and reliable choice for everything from fillings to complex bridgework. Dentists knew that when they used a gold alloy, they were giving their patients a solution built for performance and comfort. This commitment to quality is exactly why that old dental piece you have is still valuable today; it was crafted from premium materials designed to stand the test of time.
Durability and Longevity
When it comes to dental work, longevity is key, and gold is the undisputed champion. Unlike other materials that can wear down or crack under pressure, gold alloys are incredibly tough. They can easily handle the daily grind of chewing for decades without issue. In fact, a well-made gold crown can last anywhere from 20 to 40 years, and sometimes even a lifetime. This incredible lifespan is thanks to gold’s natural resistance to corrosion, oral acids, and bacteria. It doesn’t rust or degrade, making it one of the most permanent methods of dental restoration available. That durability is what preserves the precious metal content, ensuring it holds its value long after it has served its original purpose.
Where Is Gold Used in Dentistry?
Gold appears in several types of dental work, most commonly in crowns (the caps that cover a whole tooth), bridges (which replace missing teeth), inlays, and onlays. While it looks yellow, the actual gold content can vary. Most dental gold is between 16 and 20 karats, with 18 karats being a common standard for its blend of strength and quality. In some rare cases, you might even find gold foil fillings, which can be as pure as 24-karat gold. If a dentist has ever returned a piece of old dental work to you after a procedure, it’s definitely worth a closer look. These small pieces are exactly what we evaluate for customers every day.
What’s Really in Your Gold Crown?
It’s a common misconception that a gold crown is made of pure gold. Because pure gold is too soft to withstand the force of chewing, it’s mixed with other metals to create a stronger material called an alloy. These alloys are classified by their precious metal content. ‘High noble’ alloys contain at least 60% precious metals (mostly gold), while ‘noble’ alloys have at least 25%. Some dental work uses ‘non-noble’ alloys with very little or no precious metal at all. This mix is why a professional evaluation is so important—we can determine the exact composition and give you an accurate price based on all the valuable metals inside, not just the gold.
Common Metals Found in Dental Alloys
The term “dental gold” is a bit of a catch-all because the alloy in your crown or bridge is a carefully crafted recipe of several metals. Gold is the star, of course, prized for its resistance to corrosion and its biocompatibility. But to make it strong enough for daily use, it’s often blended with other valuable metals from the platinum group, like platinum and palladium. These additions increase the alloy’s strength and durability. You might also find silver and copper in the mix, which help fine-tune the material’s properties. Each piece of dental work has a unique metallic signature, and its true value comes from this specific combination. That’s why we analyze the entire composition to ensure you’re paid for every valuable metal present, not just the gold.
How Much Is Dental Gold Worth?
The value of your old gold crowns, bridges, or fillings isn’t a simple, fixed number. It depends on a few key factors that work together to determine your final payout. Think of it less like a price tag and more like a recipe where the main ingredients are the purity of the gold alloy, its total weight, and the current market price of gold. Understanding how these elements influence the value is the first step toward getting a fair and transparent offer. Let’s break down what really drives the worth of your dental gold.
How the Gold Market Influences Your Payout
The most significant factor in what your dental gold is worth is the live price of gold itself. The value of gold changes daily, influenced by global economic trends and investor demand. When the market price of gold is high, the potential payout for your dental items increases right along with it. This is why an offer you received a year ago might be very different from an offer you’d get today. Reputable buyers base their offers on the current market value, ensuring you’re getting a price that reflects its true worth at that moment.
Is Older Dental Gold More Valuable?
It might surprise you, but the age of your dental work can play a big role in its value. Generally, older crowns and bridges—especially those from before the 1980s—tend to contain a higher percentage of gold. In past decades, gold was more affordable, so dentists used richer gold alloys. As precious metal prices rose over time, the industry shifted toward using alloys with less gold or other more cost-effective materials. So, that old crown you’ve had tucked away in a drawer could be more valuable than you think. An expert evaluation of your items can determine its precise composition and worth.
Why Do Gold Prices Fluctuate?
So, why does the price of gold move around so much? Gold is a global commodity, and its price is tied to supply, demand, and economic stability. During times of economic uncertainty or inflation, many people turn to gold as a safe-haven investment, which drives up its price. This is why gold is considered a key part of a diversified portfolio. The rising cost of gold and other precious metals like palladium is also the reason dentists now use more affordable alternatives. This market dynamic not only affects your potential payout but also explains why older dental pieces often have a higher precious metal content.
What Determines Your Dental Gold’s Value?
When you bring in a gold crown, bridge, or inlay, you might wonder how we arrive at a specific cash offer. The value isn’t just tied to the daily price of gold; it’s a combination of a few key factors specific to your dental pieces. Think of it like a recipe where each ingredient plays a role in the final outcome. Understanding these elements will help you feel confident about the evaluation process and know what to expect. The three main components that determine the worth of your dental gold are its purity (karat), its weight, and its overall condition—though you might be surprised by which of these matters most. We’ll break down each one so you can see exactly how your old dental work translates into cash.
Why Dental Gold Purity Is the Biggest Factor
The single most important factor in your dental gold’s value is its purity, which is measured in karats (K). Pure gold is 24K, but it’s too soft to withstand the pressure of chewing, so it’s mixed with other metals like silver, platinum, or palladium to create a durable alloy. This means your gold crown isn’t pure gold, but rather a high-quality blend. Most dental gold ranges from 10K to over 20K. A higher karat number means a higher percentage of pure gold in the alloy, making it more valuable. During our evaluation, we use professional testing methods to determine the exact karat of your gold, which allows us to calculate its true worth.
Understanding Karat Percentages in Dental Gold
Think of karats as a simple way to measure gold purity on a scale of 24. While a 24-karat piece is pure gold, it’s also very soft—too soft to handle the daily grind of chewing. That’s why dental gold is an alloy, meaning it’s blended with other metals for strength. Your old crown or bridge is likely somewhere between 10K and 20K. The higher the karat number, the more pure gold is in the mix, and the more it’s worth. You can’t determine the karat just by looking at it, which is why a professional analysis is key to unlocking its true value.
Defining “High Noble” and Other Dental Alloys
Dentists have their own terms for classifying these materials based on their precious metal content. An alloy is called “high noble” if it contains at least 60% precious metals, with gold making up a significant portion. A “noble” alloy has at least 25% precious metals, while a “non-noble” alloy has very little or none at all. This classification is crucial because a high noble crown is far more valuable than a non-noble one. When you bring your items to us, our job is to identify exactly which type of alloy you have, ensuring you get paid for every valuable metal it contains. We are equipped to evaluate all types of dental work, regardless of its composition.
Why Weight Matters in Your Payout
Once we know the purity of your dental gold, the next step is to weigh it. Just like with jewelry or coins, more gold means more value. The price is calculated based on the precious metal content per gram or troy ounce. A single gold crown typically weighs between two and five grams, while a full bridge can weigh anywhere from six to fifteen grams. While that might not sound like much, these small amounts can add up quickly, especially with the high value of gold. That’s why it’s always worth bringing in any dental pieces you have, no matter how small they seem. You can visit any of our Chicagoland locations to have your items accurately weighed and assessed.
Typical Weights of Different Dental Pieces
It’s easy to look at a small gold crown and wonder if it’s even worth the trip, but the weight of these items can be deceptive. A single gold crown typically weighs between two and five grams, while a more substantial piece like a full bridge can weigh anywhere from six to fifteen grams. Even the smallest items, like gold foil fillings, which are often less than a gram, contribute to the final payout. While these might sound like small amounts, they add up quickly given the high price of gold. When you bring your items to us, we use certified scales to get a precise weight, ensuring every fraction of a gram is accounted for in your offer. We can evaluate any dental pieces you have, no matter how small they seem.
Does the Condition of Your Dental Gold Matter?
Many people worry that their dental gold isn’t “clean” enough to sell because it might still have cement or even bits of tooth attached. Here’s some good news: the condition generally doesn’t affect the price. Because the gold will be melted down and refined, all non-metal materials are burned away during the process. Professional buyers like us understand this and will assess the value based on the gold itself, not its cosmetic condition. You don’t need to try and clean it yourself, which can be difficult and messy. Just bring it in as-is, and our experts will take care of the rest, ensuring you get a fair and transparent offer.
How to Estimate Your Dental Gold’s Worth
Curious about what that old gold crown or bridge might be worth? While a professional appraisal is the only way to get a firm, cash offer, you can do a little homework to get a ballpark idea. Think of it as gathering clues before solving the final puzzle. The three biggest factors that determine the value are the gold’s purity (karat), its weight, and the current market price of gold. Getting a handle on these will help you understand what you have and set realistic expectations before you bring your items in for a final evaluation.
A Simple Step-by-Step Estimation Guide
Getting a rough estimate of your dental gold’s value is straightforward. First, gather all the pieces you have. If you can safely and easily remove any remaining tooth or porcelain fragments, do so, but don’t worry if you can’t—an expert can handle that. Next, use a simple kitchen or postal scale to get a weight in grams. This won’t be perfectly accurate, but it gives you a starting point. With a rough weight, you can look at online calculators to see a potential value range. The final and most important step is to bring your items to a trusted appraiser who can determine the exact purity and weight to give you a precise, fair offer.
Example Valuations for Gold Crowns
Let’s walk through a quick example to see how this plays out in the real world. Imagine you have two gold crowns that both weigh about 3.5 grams. One is a 10-karat crown, which is roughly 40% pure gold. The other is a higher-quality 16-karat crown, containing about 67% pure gold. Even though they weigh the same, the 16K crown holds significantly more value because of its higher gold content. The final offer would be calculated based on the exact weight of the pure gold in each piece, multiplied by the current market price. This is why a professional evaluation is so crucial—it’s the only way to determine the precise purity and ensure you’re paid fairly for every bit of precious metal.
Should You Trust Online Gold Calculators?
You’ve probably seen online calculators that promise to tell you what your dental gold is worth instantly. These tools work by taking the weight you enter, an assumed karat purity, and the current market price of gold to generate an estimate. They can be useful for satisfying initial curiosity, but it’s important to take their results with a grain of salt. The biggest variable is purity. Dental gold is an alloy, and a calculator can’t know the exact mixture of your specific crown or bridge. It’s a helpful tool for a general idea, but it’s not a substitute for a professional analysis.
How to Get an Accurate Weight at Home
Weight is a critical piece of the value puzzle. To give you a general idea, a single gold crown typically weighs between 2 and 5 grams, while a full bridge can weigh anywhere from 6 to 15 grams. While you can use a home scale for a preliminary weight, remember that any non-gold materials, like porcelain or cement, will inflate that number without adding value. That’s why you can’t rely on visual inspection alone. At a professional dealer, your items are weighed on highly accurate, calibrated scales. This precision ensures you’re getting paid for the exact amount of precious metal in the dental scrap we buy.
Common Myths About Dental Gold, Busted
When it comes to dental gold, there’s a lot of chatter and misinformation. It’s easy to get your hopes up thinking you’ve struck it rich with an old crown, but it’s also common to underestimate what you have. Let’s clear the air and tackle some of the biggest myths I hear all the time. Understanding the facts will help you set realistic expectations and feel confident when you decide to sell.
Myth #1: It’s Pure Gold
It’s a common assumption, but that gold crown isn’t made of pure, 24-karat gold. Pure gold is actually quite soft—too soft to stand up to the daily grind of chewing. To make it durable enough for dental work, gold is mixed with other metals to create a strong alloy. These alloys can include metals like platinum, palladium, silver, copper, and tin. The exact blend depends on when and where the crown was made. The value of your dental gold comes from the percentage of actual gold in that alloy, which is why a professional evaluation is so important to determine its true worth.
Myth #2: If It Looks Like Gold, It Must Be Valuable
Just because a crown has that familiar golden gleam doesn’t mean it’s packed with precious metal. In fact, many modern dental pieces are designed to look like gold but contain very little, if any, of it. As the prices of gold and other precious metals have risen, dentists have increasingly turned to more affordable base metals like nickel or chrome for crowns and bridges. These can be colored to look like gold for cosmetic reasons. This is why you can’t judge dental work by its color alone; you need an expert to determine the actual metal composition and separate the valuable pieces from the imitations.
Myth #3: Older Crowns Are Always Worth More
You might hear that vintage dental work is the most valuable, and there’s some truth to that—but it’s not a hard and fast rule. Generally, crowns made before the 1980s tend to have a higher gold content. Why? Because the price of gold was much lower back then, so it was more affordable to use in higher concentrations. However, this isn’t a guarantee. The value still depends entirely on the specific alloy used by the dentist at the time. The only way to know for sure is to have it professionally tested by a team with decades of experience who can accurately assess its makeup, regardless of its age.
Myth #4: Silver-Colored Dental Work Is Worthless
This is a big one I hear a lot. Many people assume that if a piece of dental work isn’t yellow, it must be worthless. But that silver color can be very misleading. What you might have is a “white gold” alloy, which is a blend of gold with other white metals like platinum or palladium—both of which are incredibly valuable. Dentists often used these alloys for their strength and durability. So, while your crown or bridge might look like silver, its actual precious metal content could be surprisingly high. You can’t judge its value by appearance alone; a professional analysis is the only way to uncover what it’s truly made of.
How to Identify Real Dental Gold
Figuring out if your old dental work contains real gold can feel like a mystery. Unlike a piece of jewelry, dental gold doesn’t come with a convenient stamp indicating its purity. While a visual check at home can give you some clues, the only way to know for sure is through a professional evaluation. The good news is that identifying the composition of your dental scrap is a straightforward process for a trained expert. Let’s walk through how professionals determine its value and what you can look for yourself.
The Professional Method: XRF Testing
When you bring your dental gold to an expert, they won’t just be guessing its value. Reputable buyers use a technology called X-ray fluorescence, or XRF testing. Think of it as a high-tech scanner that can precisely identify the metallic makeup of an item without damaging it. This non-destructive method is the gold standard for analysis. An XRF gun sends X-rays into the dental crown, which causes the atoms in the metal to fluoresce. The machine reads this feedback to determine the exact percentages of gold, platinum, palladium, silver, and other metals in the alloy. This scientific approach ensures you get an offer based on the exact precious metal content, not just a visual estimate.
What to Look For During a Visual Inspection
While you can’t get a precise reading at home, a quick visual inspection can offer some hints. First, understand that dental gold is never pure 24-karat gold. Pure gold is far too soft to withstand the force of chewing, so it’s always mixed with other metals to create a durable alloy. The color can be a clue: a bright, yellow-gold color often indicates a higher gold content, while a whiter or silver-toned crown likely contains more platinum, palladium, or non-precious metals. Don’t be fooled by looks alone, though. Many alloys look similar, and without a professional test, it’s impossible to know the true composition.
Why You Need an Expert Evaluation
Ultimately, a visual check can only take you so far. The complex blend of metals in dental alloys makes it impossible to determine the value with the naked eye. The weight, purity, and combination of precious metals like gold, platinum, and palladium all factor into the final price. This is why an expert evaluation is so important. At PGS Gold & Coin, our specialists use advanced testing methods to accurately assess your items. Bringing your dental gold to one of our Chicagoland locations for a free, no-obligation appraisal is the only way to be certain of its value and ensure you receive a fair and transparent offer.
Where to Sell Your Dental Gold for the Best Price
Once you have dental gold in hand, the next step is finding the right place to sell it. You want a buyer who is transparent, fair, and can offer you the best possible price. Your decision will likely come down to a choice between local experts and online mail-in services. Each has its advantages, but for items like dental gold, working with someone you can trust face-to-face often provides the most peace of mind and the clearest understanding of your payout.
Why Choose a Trusted Local Expert
When you sell your dental gold, working with a local specialist is one of the surest ways to get a great price. A dedicated precious metals dealer like PGS Gold & Coin has the specific expertise to evaluate dental scrap accurately. We understand the unique alloys used in crowns and bridges and can provide an honest, on-the-spot assessment. This in-person process means you can ask questions, watch the evaluation, and walk away with a clear understanding of your item’s value. A straightforward, transparent transaction with a trusted community business removes the uncertainty of mailing your valuables to an unknown buyer.
Understanding Payout Rates from Different Buyers
It’s important to understand that not all gold buyers will offer you the same price, and the payout rates can vary dramatically. Your final offer is a percentage of the item’s total melt value, which is based on its weight, purity, and the live market price of all the precious metals it contains. Buyers have to cover their own costs for melting and refining, which is why you won’t receive 100% of the market value. However, the percentage they offer makes all the difference. Some buyers might pay as little as 20% of the gold’s value, and pawn shops typically pay around 40%. A reputable specialist, on the other hand, has the expertise and equipment to identify valuable metals like platinum and palladium, allowing them to provide a much more competitive offer that truly reflects your item’s worth.
What to Look For in a Local Gold Buyer
Beyond specialists, other local businesses like jewelers, pawn shops, and some refineries also buy dental gold. These shops are often convenient and can be a good option if you prefer handling the sale in person. They will typically assess the metal content of your dental gold and make an offer based on the day’s market prices. While they can provide a simple way to get cash, it’s worth remembering that not all dealers specialize in dental scrap. An expert who regularly handles these materials is often better equipped to identify the precise value of the alloys and offer a more competitive price.
Online Buyers vs. In-Person Appraisals: Which Is Better?
For convenience, online mail-in services are a popular choice. Many offer a free online tool to estimate your gold’s value before you even send it in. These companies often use advanced technology like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to get a precise reading of the metal content, which can result in a competitive offer. However, this process involves mailing your valuables and waiting for an appraisal, which can feel risky for some. An in-person appraisal gives you immediate results and payment without the worry of your items getting lost in transit. You get to be part of the process from start to finish, ensuring complete transparency.
What to Expect When You Sell Your Dental Gold
Selling dental gold might feel a little unusual, but the process is actually very simple and straightforward when you work with a trusted expert. You’ve held onto it for a reason, and now you’re ready to see what it’s worth. At PGS Gold & Coin, we believe in making every transaction clear, comfortable, and fair. From the moment you walk in, our goal is to give you the information you need to make a confident decision. The process breaks down into three simple parts: a transparent evaluation, a no-pressure offer, and immediate payment if you choose to sell.
What a Transparent Evaluation Process Looks Like
First things first, we need to determine exactly what your dental gold is made of. Unlike a piece of jewelry, dental gold isn’t stamped with a karat marking, so a professional analysis is key. We use state-of-the-art X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology to get a precise reading of the metal content. This is a non-destructive method that tells us the exact percentage of gold, platinum, palladium, silver, and other metals in your items. This scientific approach ensures you get credit for every valuable metal present, not just the gold. Our experts will walk you through the results, so you understand exactly what you have and how its value is determined.
How and When You Get Paid
Once we’ve analyzed your dental gold and determined its value based on the live market price, we’ll make you a firm, no-obligation offer. We believe in making the process as easy as possible, which is why we pay you on the spot. There’s no need to mail your valuables away and wait for a check. If you accept our offer, you’ll walk out of one of our Chicagoland locations with payment in hand the very same day. If you decide you’re not ready to sell or want to think about it, that’s perfectly fine, too. There is never any pressure—our offers come with no strings attached.
How to Know You’re Getting a Fair Offer
Getting the best price for your dental gold comes down to working with a buyer you can trust. A fair offer depends on an accurate assessment and a price based on real-time market values. As a business driven by integrity, we’ve built our reputation on providing honest evaluations and competitive payouts for decades. Choosing an established local expert over a pawn shop or an anonymous online buyer means you’re working with someone who has a vested interest in serving the community. We’re here to build lasting relationships by ensuring you feel respected and fairly compensated every time you work with us.
How to Get the Most Money for Your Dental Gold
Selling your old dental gold is a fantastic way to turn something you no longer need into cash. But getting the best price isn’t just about luck; it’s about being prepared and making smart choices. With a little bit of knowledge, you can approach the process with confidence and ensure you receive a fair and honest payout. The key is to understand when to sell, what mistakes to steer clear of, and how to prepare your items for a professional appraisal. By following a few simple steps, you can feel secure in your decision and walk away with the most money in your pocket.
When Is the Best Time to Sell?
The value of your dental gold is directly tied to the live market price of gold. When gold prices are high, your payout will be higher, too. It pays to keep an eye on market trends. While you don’t need to become a day trader, a quick search for the current price of gold can give you a good idea of whether the market is strong. Selling during a period of high prices can make a significant difference in your final offer. Ultimately, the best time to sell is when you feel ready, but a little market awareness can help you maximize your return.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to guess the value of their dental gold just by looking at it. A crown that looks bright yellow might not have as much gold as a duller one. The only way to know for sure is through a professional evaluation using methods like an XRF scan or a melt and assay process. Another common error is cleaning your dental scrap. Don’t worry about removing any attached tooth or porcelain—a reputable buyer will handle that. In fact, trying to clean it yourself could accidentally remove small bits of precious metal, lowering its weight and value. Just bring it in as-is.
How to Prepare for Your Appraisal
Getting ready for an appraisal is simple. First and most importantly, if you’ve recently had dental work done, remember to ask your dentist if you can keep the old crown or bridge. It’s your property, and dentists are usually happy to give it back to you. Once you have your items, gather them all in one place. There’s no need to weigh them at home, as kitchen scales aren’t accurate enough for precious metals. A professional buyer will use a certified scale to get a precise weight. Understanding our transparent evaluation process beforehand can also help you feel comfortable and know exactly what to expect when you visit.
Related Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to clean my old gold crown before I bring it in? Please don’t! We actually prefer you bring your dental gold in as-is. Any attached cement or tooth fragments are accounted for and removed during the refining process. Trying to clean it yourself can be difficult, and you might accidentally scrape off tiny bits of precious metal, which would lower its weight and your final payout. Our experts will handle everything for you.
Is it even worth the trip to sell just one small crown? Absolutely. While a single crown might seem small, its value can be surprising. Gold is incredibly dense, so even a few grams can be worth a significant amount, especially when gold prices are high. We evaluate items of all sizes, and it’s always worth getting a free, no-obligation offer to see what your piece is worth. You might be pleasantly surprised.
How can you tell what my dental gold is worth if it’s not stamped like jewelry? That’s a great question, and it’s why a professional analysis is so important. Unlike jewelry, dental gold isn’t marked with its karat purity. We use a special piece of equipment called an XRF scanner, which is a non-destructive test that uses X-rays to identify the exact metallic composition of your crown or bridge. This tells us the precise percentages of gold, platinum, and other valuable metals inside.
Why is older dental work often more valuable? It often comes down to simple economics. Decades ago, the price of gold was much lower, so it was more common for dentists to use alloys with a higher percentage of gold. As precious metal prices increased over the years, the industry shifted to using more cost-effective materials. While it’s not a guarantee, this trend means that older pieces frequently contain more precious metal content.
What if I’m not ready to sell? Is there any pressure? Not at all. Our evaluations are always free, and our offers come with no strings attached. We want you to feel completely comfortable and confident in your decision. If you decide to sell, we can pay you right on the spot. If you want to take some time to think it over, that’s perfectly fine, too. Our goal is to provide you with clear information, not to pressure you into a sale.
Safely Handling and Storing Your Dental Gold
Once you have your old dental gold, you might wonder what to do with it. The best advice is simple: handle it as little as possible. There’s no need to try and clean it or remove any attached cement or porcelain. Since the value is based on the precious metal content that will be melted down and refined, its cosmetic condition doesn’t matter. In fact, trying to clean it yourself could accidentally scrape away small bits of metal, which would reduce its weight and your final payout. The safest bet is to place it in a small, labeled ziplock bag or a secure container and store it somewhere you won’t forget, like a jewelry box or a desk drawer. Keeping it safe and sound is the only step you need to take before bringing it in for a professional evaluation.