When you hear ‘gold tooth,’ you might think of a friend or relative’s dental crown, Hollywood depictions of pirates like Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean, or the hip-hop artists of the 1990s. Gold teeth have been around for millennia, serving both aesthetic and practical purposes. So, who popularized gold teeth, and why were they originally invented?
Who Was the First Person to Have Gold Teeth?
We’ll never know exactly who the first person to have a gold tooth was, but archaeological evidence points to the Etruscans – an ancient civilization in Italy who flourished between the 8th and 3rd centuries BCE. They’re known for their sophisticated dental practices, including the use of gold bands to keep replacement teeth in place.
Historians believe that gold crowns served as a symbol of wealth for the Etruscans, especially women. These gold teeth weren’t implanted by “dentists” as we think of today, but by goldsmiths who would extract teeth and refit/replace them with gold banding. Hopefully some sort of numbing agent was used, because it sounds like a painful process. These ancient gold teeth weren’t suitable for biting into hard foods, so the Etruscan women with gold teeth had to rely on soft, fully-cooked foods.
Pre-colonial societies in the Philippines, particularly Luzon and Cebu, also used dental gold to symbolize social status and prosperity. Some areas of the Philippines apparently had over 100 different words to describe gold!
Who Popularized Gold Teeth?
Gold teeth and tooth adornments have long been a fashion statement across various cultures and time periods, from the upper-class Etruscan women to the current resurgence of the tooth gem trend. Aside from American hip-hop culture, the popularity of gold teeth has surged in ancient civilizations and in certain regions of the Caribbean and South America. In some communities, gold teeth are even passed down as family heirlooms and seen as an investment.
When Did Dentists Start Using Gold Teeth?
Gold alloys have been employed by dentists since the advent of modern dentistry and are still used to this day.
In the late 19th century, dentists began using gold for dental crowns and fillings because it offers unparalleled durability, malleability and biocompatibility. When alloyed with other metals to increase its strength, gold is perfect for withstanding the forces of daily chewing. It’s also exceptionally resistant to corrosion, even inside a mouth full of acidic foods!
By the early 20th century, gold crowns became increasingly common in dental practices. More advanced techniques and materials made it easier for dentists to work with gold, so it naturally became more prevalent. Gold remained a popular choice throughout the mid-20th century, favored for its durability and functionality.
Gold Dental Crowns Today
While gold alloys are still a great option for dental crowns, the late 20th century brought the development and increased demand for alternative materials like porcelain, ceramic and composite resins. While none of these materials offer the longevity and durability of gold alloys, they do offer a more natural appearance, which some people prefer.
All in all, gold dental crowns have been a reliable choice for over a century. Although they’re less common today, it’s doubtful that gold crowns will ever be fully replaced by modern alternatives. In scenarios where durability and biocompatibility are the top priority, like with a crown or filling for a molar, gold alloys still take the cake.
Is Dental Gold Valuable?
Gold-containing dental crowns can potentially hold significant value (especially with the current high prices of gold – $2,421 per ounce as of July 2024). If you ever have a gold crown removed by your dentist, make sure to keep it so that you can sell it (after all, you paid for it to begin with!).
Garfield has been refining dental gold for over 130 years, and we’ve seen the value of gold crowns stand the test of time. If you have dental gold material of any type that you’re looking to recycle and monetize, we’ve got you covered!
Looking to recycle your dental scrap? Wondering if your dental material is worth selling? Check out our other articles like ‘How Much Is a Gold Tooth Worth?’ and ‘How to Sell Dental Gold’ to learn more!
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Written by
Allie BowmanAllie Bowman is the Content Lead at Garfield Refining, where she translates more than 130 years of precious metals expertise into clear, accurate, and practical content for individual sellers, dental professionals, jewelers, and collectors. A Dean's List graduate of the University of Delaware's Media Communication program, Allie has built her career around making complex subjects accessible to a broad audience. Her experience spans nutrition science, lifestyle magazine publishing, and precious metals refining, giving her a unique ability to transform technical information into engaging, trustworthy content. At Garfield, Allie brings editorial rigor and subject-matter expertise to every piece she produces. She works closely with Garfield's refining specialists and senior leadership to ensure that technical topics - from karat markings and assay methods to precious metals markets and spot price mechanics - are explained with both accuracy and clarity. Since joining Garfield's marketing team, Allie has written extensively on precious metals refining, dental scrap recovery, gold and silver bullion, estate and inherited jewelry, and industry-specific topics for dental and jewelry professionals. All content is reviewed by Garfield's leadership team prior to publication, ensuring it reflects the company's standards for accuracy, transparency, and industry expertise.
Reviewed by
Morgan KerrisseyMorgan Kerrissey is the President of Garfield Refining, one of North America's most longstanding and trusted precious metals refineries. For over two decades, Morgan has built his career at the intersection of commodities markets, metallurgy, and precious metals — earning a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable voices in the refining industry. Morgan joined Garfield in 2008, bringing rigorous operational discipline to a company built on exacting standards since 1892. Named President in 2014, he has guided Garfield through volatile gold, silver, and palladium markets, while modernizing its workforce and technologies and diversifying its metal supply chains. Under his leadership, Garfield has expanded its refining capabilities across the full lifecycle of precious metals recovery, entered new markets, and expanded services while maintaining the same customer forward approach that has made Garfield a mainstay for more than a century. From hedging strategy to daily refinery operations, Morgan commands high levels of technical depth and market fluency. Morgan grew up outside Boston, graduated from Harvard University, and has lived with his family in Philadelphia, PA for almost 20 years.