Materials
What Metals Are Found in Dental Crowns
Dental crowns and other restorations can contain precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium. The exact composition varies by restoration and alloy; not every crown contains all four metals or the same proportions.
Reviewed by Ron Abboud, President, CrownMen Inc. · 2026
Alloy Variability
Dental restorations use different alloys and constructions. All-gold crowns are metal restorations; porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) and porcelain-fused-to-gold (PFG) restorations combine porcelain with a metal structure. Other qualifying dental alloys and restorations can differ again.
These names describe the type of restoration, not a fixed percentage of any metal. Even crowns in the same category need not have the same composition.
Common Precious Metals
Qualifying dental material may contain one or more of these precious metals. The metal name alone does not establish a restoration’s quantity, proportions or value.
- Gold may be present in gold-bearing dental alloys.
- Silver may be present as part of a dental alloy.
- Platinum may be present in qualifying dental material.
- Palladium may be present in qualifying dental material.
Why Appearance Is Not Enough
Color is not a reliable way to determine exact composition. Different alloys can look similar, and a crown’s appearance alone cannot establish its precious-metal content.
Testing and assay are important when evaluating what a particular restoration contains.
How Crown Material Is Evaluated
CrownMen evaluates qualifying crown material using testing and assay to determine its precious-metal content. The results support settlement; appearance alone cannot provide the same information.
For more on the commercial refining process, see CrownMen’s dental scrap refining guide.
How Composition Relates to Value
Value depends on which precious metals are confirmed and their quantity, as determined through testing and assay, together with the applicable pricing basis and settlement terms. A gold-colored crown does not have a value that can be determined from its color or crown type alone.
Next Steps
If you have dental material to evaluate, review the types of material CrownMen refines and the guidance on selling dental scrap. Confirm eligibility before sending a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What metals can be found in dental crowns?
Dental crowns may contain precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium. The exact metals and proportions vary by restoration and alloy.
Do all dental crowns contain gold?
No. Crowns can use different alloys and constructions; not every crown contains gold or the same combination of precious metals.
Do PFMs and PFGs contain precious metals?
They can. PFMs and PFGs combine porcelain with metal, but their composition varies. Testing is needed to determine the precious metals in a particular restoration.
Can you tell the metal content of a crown by its color?
No. Different alloys can look similar, and color alone cannot establish exact precious-metal content.
How is dental crown material evaluated?
CrownMen uses testing and assay to evaluate qualifying material and determine its precious-metal content. The results support settlement.
Does the metal composition affect the value of dental scrap?
Yes. Value depends on the precious metals confirmed, their quantity, testing and assay results, the applicable pricing basis and settlement terms. Appearance alone does not establish value.
References
This guide draws on the following CrownMen Blog articles.
Unsure what a crown contains?
Do not rely on appearance alone. Learn which materials CrownMen discusses and how evaluation works.