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How do I measure and order a Locator correctly?

Ordering the right Locator requires accurate cuff height measurement, four key pieces of identifying information, and awareness of manufacturer-specific requirements. Getting any of these wrong results in poor fit, compromised retention, or potential tissue issues. The sections below walk through the full process, from measurement to order to torque.

Step 1: Measure Cuff Height Accurately

Always measure when the patient is ready to restore and tissue healing is complete. Tissue shrinks and remodels significantly during healing, so early measurements will be inaccurate.

Step Action
1 Remove the healing abutment
2 Place a periodontal probe on the platform of the implant
3 Measure around the entire circumference of the site
4 Record the tallest measurement among the mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual sides
5 Order the cuff height based on the largest measurement

Example: If mesial = 2mm, distal = 3mm, buccal = 2mm, and lingual = 2mm, order a 3mm cuff height.

Critical Timing: When to Measure

Do Don't
Measure when ready to restore and healing is complete Measure from x-rays
Use a periodontal probe directly on the implant platform Measure from surgical letters
Take measurements from all four sides of each site Measure from healing abutments during healing

Why timing matters: Tissue heals, shrinks, and changes from surgery until restoration. Measurements taken from imaging, surgical documentation, or in-progress healing abutments will not reflect the final tissue position.

Step 2: Gather the Four Required Ordering Elements

Every Locator order requires these four pieces of information:

# Required Element Examples / Detail
1 Manufacturer ZimVie, Straumann, BioHorizons, Nobel, Dentsply, etc.
2 Type of implant Specific implant line from that manufacturer
3 Platform Specific platform designation
4 Cuff height Largest measurement around the implant (see Step 1)

Tip: Implant stickers and/or surgery reports are essential for accurate implant identification. Save them in the patient's chart.

Step 3: Apply Manufacturer-Specific Requirements

Each implant manufacturer has slightly different specifications, and a few require extra attention:

Manufacturer Special Requirement
BioHorizons Requires the diameter platform measurement, not just the platform designation
ZimVie Uses fractional cuff heights (0.75, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5mm) on select platforms
All others Each has its own platform specifications; reference sheets must be consulted

Approximately four different reference sheets are typically needed to cover the major implant systems. Always match the exact platform specifications to ensure proper fit.

Cuff Height Specifications

Specification Detail
Standard range 0mm or 1mm up to 6mm
Maximum height 6mm (anything taller requires gingivectomy)
Whole-number platforms 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6mm
Fractional platforms (ZimVie) 0.75, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5mm on select platforms

ZEST Auto-Calculations: The 1.5mm Lip

ZEST automatically adds a 1.5mm "lip" above the ordered cuff height. This is built into the system and is not ordered separately.

  • The final Locator sits exactly 1.5mm above the highest gum tissue.
  • The lip engages with the insert inside the denture cap to provide retention.
  • Order based on your measured cuff height. ZEST handles the rest.

Step 4: Torque to Manufacturer Specifications

Torque Specification Detail
Range 25–35 N·cm (average 30 N·cm)
Critical rule Always defer to the implant manufacturer's specifications
Variability Torque values depend on the specific implant system
Drivers ZEST offers Locator drivers compatible with most office torque wrench systems

Bottom Line

Measure cuff height with a probe at the time of restoration (using the tallest reading), gather all four ordering elements (manufacturer, implant type, platform, cuff height), watch for BioHorizons' diameter requirement and ZimVie's fractional sizes, and torque to the implant manufacturer's spec (25–35 N·cm). ZEST automatically adds the 1.5mm lip to ensure proper placement above tissue.

Additional Resources

For more information concerning the ZEST Locator Fixed:

Contact Information

For help with a Locator Fixed solution for your next case, contact ROE Dental Laboratory: