The type of gold commonly utilized for direct restorative procedures in dental practice is cohesive gold.

- Cohesive gold, also known as gold foil, is a pure form of gold used mainly for direct restoration because of its excellent adaptability and biocompatibility.
- It is composed of extremely thin gold sheets or foil that can be compacted directly into the prepared cavity. The key advantages of cohesive gold include:

- Excellent marginal adaptation, which helps in minimizing microleakage.
- Superior durability due to the cohesive bond formed between the gold particles when properly condensed.
- Biocompatibility with dental tissues, reducing the risk of adverse reactions.

Other types of gold mentioned serve different purposes:
- Inlay gold and casting gold are used for indirect restorations where the restoration is fabricated outside the mouth and then cemented in place.
- Foil gold is a term sometimes used interchangeably with cohesive gold; however, in modern practice, cohesive gold foil is the preferred terminology.

Therefore, cohesive gold is uniquely suited for direct application in restorative procedures due to its handling properties and biological compatibility.

Reference: Sturdevant’s Art and Science of Operative Dentistry, Volume 1, Chapter 8 / Page 245