How Much Is a Silver Tooth Filling or Crown Worth?
Curious about your dental work's value? Learn the actual worth of "silver teeth" and crowns, from their composition to scrap market potential.
Many people wonder about the monetary value of dental materials, particularly what is commonly referred to as a “silver tooth.” While some assume these dental restorations contain significant amounts of precious metals, their composition is more complex than pure silver, and their actual worth can vary considerably.
What is a Silver Tooth
What individuals often identify as a “silver tooth” typically refers to one of two distinct types of dental restorations. The first is a dental amalgam filling, a common material used for decades to restore decayed teeth. This material is not pure silver; it is an alloy composed of approximately 50% elemental mercury, along with about 20-35% silver, and smaller percentages of tin, copper, and other trace metals. The presence of mercury is a defining characteristic of amalgam.
The second common restoration is a silver-colored dental crown or cap. These crowns are generally made from dental alloys, which can contain a blend of various metals. While they may appear silver, their composition can include valuable metals such as gold, palladium, platinum, and silver, combined with base metals like nickel, chromium, or cobalt. These crowns often contain a complex and potentially valuable mix of elements.
Calculating Its Worth
Determining the financial worth of dental materials requires a clear understanding of their metallic composition and current market prices. For dental amalgam fillings, the scrap value is generally negligible or non-existent. This is primarily due to their relatively low silver content, the significant presence of mercury, and the considerable difficulty and expense involved in safely refining these mixed metals. Most metal buyers and refiners are unwilling to purchase amalgam fillings for their metal content, making any perceived worth minimal in the scrap market.
The value of silver-colored crowns or caps, particularly those made from precious metal alloys, depends directly on the specific metals they contain and their total weight. To assess their worth, one first needs to identify the types of precious metals present, such as gold, palladium, platinum, or silver. A dental professional might have records of the alloy used, or a specialized refiner can perform tests, such as X-ray fluorescence, to determine the exact metallic content.
Once the composition is known, the material must be accurately weighed, typically in grams. The next step involves checking the current spot prices for the identified precious metals on global commodity markets. Since dental alloys are not pure metals, the value is calculated based on the percentage of each precious metal within the alloy. For example, if a crown weighs 3 grams and is determined to be 50% gold by weight, its gold content would be 1.5 grams, which is then multiplied by the current per-gram price of gold. The overall value of these precious metal crowns can vary significantly based on their specific alloy composition and the fluctuating market prices of the constituent metals.
Selling Your Dental Material
When considering selling dental materials, it is important to identify appropriate buyers who specialize in such items. The most suitable avenues are typically specialized dental refiners or established precious metal buyers who deal in scrap gold, silver, and palladium. General pawn shops or typical jewelers are usually not equipped or interested in purchasing dental amalgam due to its complex composition and the presence of mercury. Even for crowns, specialized buyers often offer more competitive rates and possess the necessary expertise for accurate valuation.
The selling process generally begins with the buyer weighing the material accurately. For dental crowns, the buyer will often perform tests, such as an acid test or X-ray fluorescence, to precisely determine the metal content and purity of the alloy. The financial offer provided will be based on the current market price of the identified precious metals, but it will also factor in a processing fee or percentage for the buyer, which commonly ranges from 10% to 30% of the calculated melt value.