great discussion here by everyone and you all are hitting each nail on the head
as we know, electroplating (thin layer) or electroforming (thicker layers) is a metal/alloy deposition process, done from a solution on to a die. And the die is usually coated with a conductive paint for gaining electrical continuity.
Plating can be electrolytic or electroless (not requiring electricity). Examples of electroplating – plating gold on NP alloy prosthesis. and as some know, examples of electroforming – Galvano or Graham system to make coping. The strength of plated coping is much less than that of Captek.
Captek is much different than electroplating / forming and is very unique. It is fabricated using a proprietary two step process where capillary technology allows the gold to infiltrate into a skeleton of hard and stable platinum/palladium particles. The result is a “Reinforced Gold” sometimes referred to as “metal composite” where the metals do not alloy and the true attributes of the metals used are maintained. Composite metal is the only method to combine the strength of low gold elements, the beauty and resiliency of pure gold with thermal stability, oxides and corrosion free, at the same time promoting long term stable healthy tissue.
Captek can be "pressed to", as PJD shares his success with press-to-Captek. i'll post a technical tutorial on our guidance on this subject as well.
As USgooner shared, he had an "old school" doctor (not into all ceramics) that faced an anterior with a thin facial wall and Captek is ideal for those scenarios.
Car54 nailed it by saying that due to the particle make up of Captek, it has an ability to inhibit plaque / bacteria formation in the sulcus; Captek is the healthiest restorative material. And yes, we are offering Captek via a digital platform (i'll post a techincal write up on this subject that was published in LMT magazine in April).
I will also post a technical tutorial on opaque considerations on Captek due to its high value from the outer gold layer that can help you achieve higher esthetics.
