the present invention relates to alloys containing about 50 - 90 % palladium , 0 - 37 % gold , 0 - 3 % platinum , 0 - 35 % silver , 0 . 5 - 8 % gallium , 0 - 8 % tin , and up to 0 . 2 % of a grain refiner selected from the group consisting of iridium , rhenium and ruthenium , or mixtures thereof . in order to withstand the forces of mastication over long spans or cantilever sections , the alloys are more rigid than conventional palladium based alloys . the alloys may be utilized for conventional crown and bridgework or may be fabricated into a number of different prostheses for use on dental implants . these applications include , for example , metal base plates for dentures , metal retaining bars for removable or fixed removable dentures , full metal coverage crowns and bridges , and metal substructures to be veneered with resin or porcelain materials .