Key Facts
• Since autumn 2025, gold prices surged sharply, reaching 25,116 yen per gram in March 2026.
• Gold price rose 1.75 times compared to March 2025.
• Dental silver crowns contain over 12% gold; a 3.5-gram crown costs 19,418 yen in materials.
• Official insurance reimbursement for such crowns is 16,726 yen, causing a 2,692 yen loss per crown.
• This reimbursement deficit has persisted and expanded for at least 10 years.
• Palladium (20%+) and silver (40-50%) prices also increased alongside gold.
• Investment demand driven by geopolitical tensions in South America and the Middle East pressures material costs.
• Non-metal dental materials are gradually covered by insurance but silver crowns remain optimal in some cases.
• Dental association warns of risks like shallower tooth preparation or partial crowns to reduce metal use.
• Dentists emphasize patient choice when multiple treatment options exist.
Summary
The sharp rise in gold prices due to global geopolitical instability has caused the cost of dental silver crowns, which contain significant gold, to exceed official insurance reimbursements in Japan. This persistent “reverse margin” situation forces dentists, especially in Shizuoka Prefecture, to operate at a loss despite periodic reimbursement revisions. The material cost for a typical 3.5-gram crown surpasses the insurance payout by nearly 2,700 yen, a deficit ongoing for over a decade. Prices of palladium and silver, key components of these crowns, have also increased. While non-metal alternatives are increasingly insured and used, silver crowns remain necessary for certain oral conditions. The dental association cautions that reducing metal use by altering treatment methods may compromise care quality. The surge in gold prices, driven by investment demand amid international tensions, continues to strain dental practices financially, highlighting the need for transparent patient choices and potential policy adjustments.
