Identifying Precious Metals in Your Dental Scrap
Many materials removed during dental procedures contain a significant hidden value. Gold crowns, bridges, and porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations often include recoverable precious metals like gold, palladium, platinum, and silver. When collected and refined properly, these metals can generate meaningful financial returns while supporting environmentally responsible practices.
Identifying what qualifies for refining and what requires specialized disposal enables dental practices to maximize return value while upholding regulatory and environmental standards.
What Makes Dental Materials Precious?
Many dental restorations contain precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium—even if they don’t look valuable at first glance. For example, just because a material isn’t gold-colored doesn’t mean it lacks value. Restorations that appear silver, gray, or partially ceramic may still contain highly valuable metals worth refining. Here’s a breakdown of common dental materials and their valuable components:
Gold Crowns & Yellow Partials: These restorations often contain high percentages of gold, sometimes mixed with other precious metals. They are among the most valuable dental scraps due to their high precious metal content.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFMs): PFMs combine the aesthetic appeal of porcelain with a metal substructure, which may include precious metals like palladium or platinum. Despite the porcelain overlay, the underlying metals can be recovered and refined.
Extractions with Inlays/Onlays: Extracted teeth that contain inlays or onlays may have precious metals embedded within them.
Buttons & Sprues: These are remnants from the casting process in dental laboratories and often contain concentrated amounts of precious metals.
Bridges: Dental bridges may contain precious metals, especially if they are older restorations.
Turning Dental Waste Into Value
Understanding the hidden value within dental materials is key to maximizing both environmental responsibility and financial return. From high-yield gold crowns to lab remnants like buttons and sprues, many restorations contain recoverable precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
It’s easier than ever to manage dental scrap responsibly. But when it comes to extracting the highest value from your dental scrap, partnering with an experienced precious metal refinery is crucial.
Core Scientific is here to help. As a trusted precious metal refinery specializing in dental materials, Core Scientific helps dental professionals turn waste into worth. Whether you’re recycling old bridges, PFMs, gold crowns, or lab scrap, Core Scientific offers transparent, high-yield refining services that make the most of every material. By working with experts like Core Scientific, your practice can not only boost its bottom line but also contribute to a more sustainable future.
Are you ready to unlock the full value of your dental scrap? Connect with Core Scientific and turn your waste into an opportunity by requesting a container today!
Our industry-leading returns and unparalleled customer service have earned us a 96% client retention rate. Contact us today to learn more about our services and start recycling your dental scrap with Core Scientific.
