---
title: "What Is Gold alloy? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A gold alloy is a blend of gold with metals such as copper and platinum that dentists have long used for inlays, onlays, and crowns."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gold-alloy
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Materials

# Gold alloy

A gold alloy is a blend of gold with metals such as copper and platinum that dentists have long used for inlays, onlays, and crowns.

Dental gold is not pure gold. It is mixed with other metals to make it hard enough to chew on. The ADA says gold fillings, also called inlays or onlays, are composed of an alloy of gold, copper and other metals. A gold piece is made in a dental lab from an impression of your tooth, so it takes more than one visit. Gold wears gently against opposing teeth and can last a long time, but its color stands out. Some people choose tooth-colored options such as [porcelain](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/porcelain) or [zirconia](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/zirconia) instead. See [inlay](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/inlay), onlay, and our [dental crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-crown) page.

[Town Center Dental can helpDental Crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-crown)

## Related terms

-   [Inlay](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/inlay)
-   [Onlay](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/onlay)
-   [Dental crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-crown)
-   [Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/porcelain-fused-to-metal-pfm-crown)
-   [Dental amalgam (silver filling)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-amalgam-silver-filling)

## Sources

1.  [ADA MouthHealthy: Fillings (Gold Inlays)](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/fillings-gold-inlays)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)