Choosing a Refiner
Questions to Ask a Dental Refiner
Before sending dental scrap, ask what material is accepted, how it is tested and handled, how settlement is determined, what fees or deductions apply, and when payment is made. Compare the complete answers, not one advertised number.
Reviewed by Ron Abboud, President, CrownMen Inc. · 2026
What Materials Do You Accept?
Confirm acceptance for your specific material before shipping it. CrownMen handles qualifying crowns, bridges, PFMs, PFGs, inlays, onlays, gold partials and gold fillings. Dental wires and orthodontic materials are not accepted by CrownMen. Laboratory sweeps, grindings and filters may also qualify.
- Which items in my lot are eligible?
- Do any materials need to be confirmed before sending?
How Is My Material Sampled and Tested?
Ask who prepares and tests the material and which methods are used. CrownMen is not a broker: it directly processes and evaluates qualifying material using XRF, averaged readings from four angles, and fire assay.
- Who performs processing and evaluation?
- How is the material prepared for testing?
- What testing methods are used?
What Pricing Basis Is Used?
Ask which market or spot-price basis is used and when that price is applied. A CrownMen settlement can show the applicable spot price. For a fair comparison, check that the pricing timing is comparable between offers.
- Which spot-price basis applies?
- When is the pricing basis determined?
What Fees or Deductions Apply?
Confirm applicable fees and deductions before sending material. An advertised split is not the same as a final settlement. CrownMen’s detailed commercial conditions are on its Terms page.
- What charges or deductions may affect my settlement?
- Where can I review the current written terms?
What Will My Settlement Report Show?
Ask what evidence you will receive for the evaluated lot and final amount. CrownMen provides detailed settlement reporting that can include DWT weights, metal percentages, the applicable spot price, refining split, fees or deductions and final payout.
- Will I receive weights and metal percentages?
- Will the pricing basis, deductions and final payout be explained?
How Are Pickup and Shipping Handled?
Confirm pickup or mail-in options, the carrier, shipping terms, and insurance or tracking where applicable. CrownMen serves customers nationwide and offers Free Pickup; arrangements may include FedEx, prepaid shipping, insurance and tracking where applicable. Confirm the arrangement for your lot.
- How will pickup or shipment be arranged?
- What shipping, insurance and tracking arrangements apply?
When Is Payment Made?
Ask when payment is made, which payment methods are available, and which terms apply. CrownMen advertises a 72-Hour Payout; read the current Terms page for the detailed conditions rather than assuming a timing rule for every lot.
What Happens if I Do Not Want Processing to Continue?
Before sending material, ask whether processing can be declined, whether material can be returned, what consent is required and what conditions apply. CrownMen’s Terms page is the authority for its current processing and return conditions.
Compare Refiners on the Same Basis
Compare like-for-like material and pricing timing, then examine testing results, reported weights and metal percentages, applicable deductions and the final settlement. A single advertised percentage cannot show the whole result.
The CrownMen Challenge offers further guidance on fair comparison. You can also read why customers consider CrownMen, without assuming one refiner will always pay more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask a dental refiner before sending material?
Confirm accepted materials, who processes and tests the lot, the pricing basis, fees or deductions, settlement reporting, pickup or shipping arrangements, payment timing and processing or return terms.
How should I compare two dental refiners?
Compare comparable material and pricing timing, then review testing, reported weights and metal percentages, deductions and the final settlement. Do not compare an advertised number in isolation.
What should I ask about testing and assay?
Ask who prepares and tests the material and which methods are used. CrownMen directly processes and evaluates qualifying material using XRF, four-angle readings that are averaged, and fire assay.
What should I ask about pricing and deductions?
Ask which spot-price basis and timing apply and what fees or deductions may affect settlement. Review the refiner’s current terms before sending material.
What should I ask about settlement reporting?
Ask whether the report includes weights, metal percentages, the applicable spot price, refining split, fees or deductions and final payout. CrownMen provides detailed settlement reporting.
Where can I find CrownMen’s current terms?
Read CrownMen’s Terms page for detailed fees, payment timing and processing or return conditions. Ask CrownMen to clarify any terms that apply to your lot before you send it.
References
This guide draws on the following CrownMen Blog articles.
Compare the complete refining relationship
Review CrownMen’s process and FAQ, then ask for current answers about your material and settlement.