What property of gold allows it to absorb the load of the implant?

The property of gold that allows it to effectively absorb the load of an implant is its ductility. Ductility refers to the ability of a material to deform under tensile stress, which means it can be stretched into a wire or bent without breaking. Gold is highly ductile, which enables it to absorb loads and redistribute stress without fracturing. This ability is crucial in dental implants, as it allows the material to accommodate the forces exerted during chewing and other functions.

While softness may seem like a viable option, it is the combination of ductility and the overall resilience of gold that are primarily responsible for its performance in load-bearing applications. Softness alone does not account for the capacity to take on and manage physical stress without damage. Other attributes, such as hardness and tensile strength, pertain to the material’s resistance to deformation and breaking, but ductility specifically addresses how the material can expand and cushion under load, making it especially suitable for applications such as implants.