How Much Is A Gold Tooth Worth?
A 3.5 gram 18 carat gold tooth is worth £257.38 based on the live gold spot price in the UK today. Most modern crowns use an 18 carat dental-gold alloy (≈75% pure gold), so you simply multiply the weight of your crown by the current 18 ct price per gram.
Key Takeaways
- Fast answer: An average (3.5g) 18 carat gold tooth melts for about £257.38 today.
- Typical weight: Typical gold crowns weigh 3‑4 g, carrying roughly 2‑3 g of pure gold.
- Cost difference: Buying a gold tooth costs extra for moulding, lab work and fitting; selling returns its metal value minus refining fees.
- Purity check: Confirm alloy purity (carat stamp or dentist’s lab slip) to price your dental gold accurately.
- Instant valuation: Use our Scrap Gold Calculator by entering the weight and karat of your gold item to receive a real-time valuation based on current market prices.
How Much Is A Gold Tooth Worth?
An average 3.5 gram 18 carat gold tooth is worth £257.38 based on the live gold price in the UK. Gold has been used in dentistry for centuries, but dental gold is not pure 24-carat gold. Pure gold is too soft for the wear-and-tear of chewing, so dental work uses gold alloys (mixtures of gold with other metals). The carat of gold in a tooth refers to how much of that alloy is actually gold. Below, we explore the common gold purity (carat) used historically and today – including differences between the UK and US – and we look at the current gold price per gram for dental gold.
(Three gold dental crowns. These restorations appear bright yellow due to their high gold content. Dental gold is an alloy of gold with other metals (often silver, copper, platinum, or palladium) to harden it for use in the mouth)
Current Gold Price Per Gram For Dental Gold
Live Gold Price Per Gram
Gold price last updated:
Saturday, 7 November 2026, 23:45.
The LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) spot price changes daily.
The prices displayed are based on the global market rate for pure 24ct gold, known as the spot price. Like all gold dealers, GoldSell pays a percentage of this rate to account for assaying, refining, secure logistics, market volatility, and handling costs. We consistently offer among the highest payout rates in the UK, with the exact percentage increasing based on the weight and purity of the gold you sell. We require a minimum of 10g gold content in each Gold Selling Pack returned to us in order to provide a valuation.
To answer “how much is a gold tooth worth,” we need to know the value of the gold itself. This depends on its purity (karat) and the current gold price. Let’s assume a common dental gold purity of 18k (75% gold) for valuation, since many gold crowns are in that range.
- Gold Spot Price (Pure Gold): As of April 2025, pure 24k gold is £98.05 per gram based on the live gold spot price.
- 18k Dental Gold Price: 18k gold is 75% pure, so its value per gram is 75% of the 24k price. At today’s rates, 18k gold is £73.54 based on the live gold spot price.
Now, how much gold does a typical tooth crown contain? The weight of a gold dental crown can vary by its size and design, but on average a single gold crown weighs around 3 to 4 grams in total. Not all of that is pure gold – it’s the weight of the 14k–18k alloy. Using our example of an 18k gold crown:
- Weight of gold crown: ~3.5 grams (midpoint of 3–4g).
- Gold content: 18k gold is 75% pure gold, so a 3.5g crown contains about 2.6 grams of pure gold (0.75 × 3.5g).
- Gold Tooth Price: At £98.05 per gram for pure gold, 2.6g of pure gold is worth £257.38 based on today’s gold spot price.
So, a single gold tooth (crown) contains £257.38 worth of gold at the current gold spot price, depending on its size and gold purity. For example, a 3g 14k crown (58% gold) would have a bit less gold (~1.74 g pure) and be worth around £171.59 in gold content, while a large 4g 18k crown could have ~3g pure gold, worth around £294.15.
It’s important to note this is just the raw gold value. The actual cost of a gold tooth from a dentist is much higher due to craftsmanship, lab fees, and dental service costs. But in terms of scrap gold value, you can now estimate it by knowing the alloy’s carat and weight. Gold teeth are indeed made of real gold – often around 14–18 carats – and with gold prices at £73.54 per gram for 18k, the metal in a gold tooth can be quite valuable.
To assist you in determining the value of your gold tooth more precisely, we’ve introduced a user-friendly Scrap Gold Calculator. This tool allows you to input the weight and purity (karat) of your gold item, such as a dental crown, to estimate its current market value based on live gold prices. Whether you’re dealing with 14k, 18k, or other purities, the calculator provides an instant valuation, helping you make informed decisions about selling your gold. Simply enter your item’s details to receive a competitive quote from us, ensuring transparency and ease in the selling process.
Scrap Gold Price Calculator
Sell gold with confidence using our live scrap gold price calculator to see how much you could get for your gold.
Scrap Gold Price Calculator
Our pricing is updated in real time based on the LBMA live gold today and benchmarked daily against leading UK buyers. GoldSell’s Live Price Checker™ analyses competitor rates twice a day to ensure we consistently offer the highest price for gold in the UK. Simply enter your item’s weight and purity to see how much you could receive, instantly and transparently.
Please note: we require a minimum of 10 g of gold content to provide a valuation and purchase your items; however, for higher-purity pieces (e.g. 18 ct+ jewellery), we’re happy to be flexible on this minimum.
Fix this price by ordering your Gold Selling Pack below and turn your gold into cash today. If the gold price increases in the meantime, we will increase your valuation to reflect this.
We automatically check competitor pricing every business day to ensure we honour our positioning as the UK’s highest paying gold buyer.
Gold Teeth Purity: Historically vs. Today
Historically, dentists often used very high-purity gold. In the 19th century, for example, some early gold crowns (called “band crowns”) were made from 22-carat gold foil. There are even accounts of patients paying with gold coins (~22k, ~92% pure) that dentists melted down for crowns or inlays. Older dental gold crowns therefore tended to have a higher gold content – sometimes around 18 karats (75% gold), giving them a rich yellow colour. Pure 24k gold was rarely used except in foils or small fillings, because it would wear down quickly on its own.
Modern dentistry still uses gold alloys for crowns, bridges, and other restorations, but the gold content can vary widely. To improve strength (and manage cost), dental gold today is often lower in karat. Many common dental alloys range from about 12k to 18k gold content. In fact, dentists categorise alloys by noble metal content: a “high noble” alloy must be at least 60% noble metals with at least 40% gold (which is roughly 10k gold). Alloys can be even lower in gold (some 9k–10k gold alloys exist for economy crowns) or contain no gold at all (base metal alloys like cobalt-chrome are used for inexpensive crowns). Still, many quality gold crowns today fall in the mid-range of purity – often around 14k to 18k gold. For instance, one refining source notes modern gold crowns are commonly 10k–20k in purity, with some of the best reaching 18k. In short, older dental work generally had higher gold karat on average, but contemporary gold crowns typically use mid-karat alloys balancing durability and cost.
Dental Gold Purity: UK vs US Differences
There is no single universal gold karat for all gold teeth; it can depend on regional practices and standards:
- United States: U.S. dentists often follow the ADA classification of alloys. A “high noble” dental alloy (often chosen for crowns) contains at least 40% gold (so 10k or higher). Premium gold crowns in the US historically might use around 75% gold (18k) for excellent longevity and fit, but due to gold’s cost, some modern U.S. dental work may use lower-karat alloys (e.g. 10k–14k) or even non-precious metals for budget cases. Essentially, U.S. dental gold can range from about 40% up to 75% gold, depending on the dentist’s preference and the patient’s budget.
- United Kingdom: In the UK, dental gold alloys also vary, but a common standard for an NHS gold crown is roughly 60% gold (about 14 carat) with additions of palladium and other metals. Private dentists in the UK might offer higher gold content alloys (such as 18k) for those wanting a traditional yellow gold crown. Historically, UK dentists also used high-carat gold when it was more affordable – as noted, melting 22k gold coins for dental work was once a practice. Today, UK labs typically offer a range of alloy options (e.g. 40% gold, 60% gold, etc.) to suit NHS requirements or patient preferences. The key difference is often cost-driven: NHS crowns tend to use a moderate gold content (~14k) to keep costs down, whereas private crowns can be higher karat if desired.
Despite these variations, both UK and US dental gold fall in similar ranges. Dental gold typically ranges from 10k up to 20k in purity in both countries. It’s rare to find anything above 22k in modern dentistry, and anything below about 10k would be unusual for a “gold” tooth (below that, it’s mostly non-gold metals). In summary, most gold teeth or crowns are around 14–18 carats in practice, whether in the US or UK, with higher karats used historically and in premium cases, and lower karats used for economy restorations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a gold tooth?
As of 8 Nov 2026, A typical 18 carat gold tooth contains about 2.6 g of pure gold and melts for roughly £257.38 at today’s live 18kt gold price.
How much is 1 gram of dental gold worth?
As of 8 Nov 2026, 1g of 18k carat dental gold is worth £73.54 based on the live 18kt gold price in the UK today.
How much is a gold tooth crown?
Having a 18 carat gold crown fitted privately in the UK typically costs from £165 to £230 per tooth, covering the intrinsic metal value, lab work and dentist fees.
How much does a gold tooth weigh?
A full‑gold crown usually weighs 3 – 4 grams, with most averaging about 3.5 g.
Can I sell a gold tooth?
Yes. Reputable gold buyers and refiners purchase dental gold for its bullion value (minus refining fees); remove any porcelain first for the best price.
Will a dentist give you a gold tooth?
Most UK and US dentists still offer gold crowns on request, though you’ll usually pay privately because NHS coverage defaults to lower‑cost materials.
What karat gold is used in dental crowns?
Modern crowns typically use 14 – 18 carat gold alloys; 18 ct (75 % gold) is the most common.
Are gold teeth permanent?
Gold crowns are cemented but can be removed or replaced by a dentist, yet the material itself resists corrosion indefinitely, so well‑maintained gold work can last decades.
How long does a gold tooth last?
A gold crown’s average clinical lifespan is 20 – 40 years, often longer with good oral hygiene, because gold alloys withstand wear better than porcelain or resin.
How much does a gold tooth cost?
A gold tooth costs far more privately than through the NHS because gold is rarely offered as a standard treatment option within NHS dentistry. NHS crowns follow fixed band pricing and generally use non-gold materials. Private clinics can offer gold crowns or onlays using high-quality alloys, and these typically cost several hundred pounds depending on gold purity, laboratory fees, preparation work and the complexity of the restoration.
How much is a gold crown worth in the UK?
A gold crown is worth the value of the recoverable gold inside the alloy, which depends on purity and weight. Many crowns contain between 40 and 75 percent gold, although some premium alloys contain more. The value is calculated by extracting the pure gold content and comparing it against the current gold price. Additional metals within the alloy, such as platinum or palladium, can sometimes increase the overall scrap value.
How much does a gold crown weigh?
A gold crown usually weighs between 2 and 4 grams depending on whether it is a full crown or a partial coverage restoration. Larger molar crowns tend to weigh more than front-tooth crowns because they require more material for strength. As dental crowns are normally made from mixed alloys rather than pure gold, their weight does not directly reveal the amount of gold inside.
How much is a gold filling worth in the UK?
A gold filling is worth the value of the gold alloy within it, which is typically less than the value of a crown because fillings contain less material. Dental fillings may use high-gold alloys, but their small size often results in only modest scrap value. The exact worth depends on refining the alloy and calculating the pure gold content based on the live gold market.
What karat is dental gold?
Dental gold usually ranges from 10 to 22 karats depending on the restoration type and the era in which it was made. Higher karat alloys were more common historically because they were easier for technicians to shape. Modern alloys often blend gold with platinum, palladium or silver to improve strength, so the purity varies. Testing is required to confirm the exact karat of any dental piece.
How much gold is in a gold crown?
A gold crown often contains between 40 and 75 percent gold depending on the alloy chosen by the dentist or laboratory. Some specialised crowns may contain more, particularly those made decades ago when high-gold alloys were standard. Because the alloy also includes strengthening metals, the exact gold content must be verified using testing methods before determining value.
Are gold teeth worth anything?
Gold teeth are worth the value of the gold and other precious metals within the alloy, so they can have meaningful scrap value once refined. Crowns and bridges often contain significant gold content because dental alloys are designed to be durable and biocompatible. Although the resale value relates only to the metal rather than the dental work itself, many gold restorations still return a worthwhile payout when sold.
Can I sell dental gold with GoldSell?
Yes, we’re happy to buy dental gold, but due to refining, logistics and handling costs we require a minimum of 10g total gold content in each Gold Selling pack returned to us. Please include other gold items (for example jewellery, scrap gold or bullion bars) alongside any crowns. Even at today’s prices, a single gold tooth simply doesn’t contain enough metal to cover processing fees.
Interested in selling gold with the UK’s highest paying gold buyer? Visit our Sell Gold page to get a competitive valuation – we provide fully insured postage and fast payment.
For more insights and the latest gold price today, keep an eye on our live charts and blog updates.
