Dental gold refers to gold alloys utilized in restorative dentistry. The term “karat” indicates the proportion of pure gold within the alloy, with 24 karat signifying pure gold. However, pure gold is too soft for dental applications and is therefore alloyed with other metals.
The composition of dental gold alloys affects their hardness, melting point, and resistance to corrosion. Alloys with a higher gold content are generally more resistant to corrosion but less durable. Silver, copper, platinum, palladium, and zinc are common metals alloyed with gold for dental purposes, each contributing unique properties. Historically, high-gold alloys were preferred, but cost considerations and advancements in material science have led to the development and use of lower-gold or gold-substitute alloys in some applications.
