What are the analog and digital Locator workflows for lab and office processing?
Locator workflows are essentially the same whether analog or digital. The real decision is who processes the denture cap: the lab or the office. This single choice drives every component, technique, and quality consideration in the case. Understanding it is often the most confusing aspect of removables, but it becomes straightforward once the principle is clear.
The Universal Principle
The key workflow decision isn't analog vs. digital. It's lab vs. office processing. Both analog and digital paths exist within each option.
Workflow Comparison: Lab vs. Office Processing
| Aspect | Lab Processing | Office Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Analog technique | Place impression coping ("wine glass") over locator, take wash impression, send to lab | Use white spacer around locator, take impression, overdenture returned with sites welded out |
| Digital technique | Scan arch, existing dentures, occlusion, send digital files | Use tan scan bodies over locators, scan, process in the office |
| Result | Lab processes denture cap inside the denture and delivers it ready | Office handles denture cap pickup and processing chairside |
| Doctor involvement | Minimal (no processing required) | Significant (full processing procedure) |
| Predictability | Great results, but potential impression or distortion issues may require office reprocessing | Higher predictability but depends on doctor and staff comfort level |
Component Reference
Each workflow uses different components. Matching the right component to the chosen workflow is essential.
| Component | Shape / Material | Workflow Used In |
|---|---|---|
| Impression copings ("wine glass") | Wine-glass shaped | Analog lab processing (captures exact locator position) |
| White spacers | White blockout spacers | Analog office processing (blocks out locator sites) |
| Scan bodies | Tan, flat, autoclavable | Digital office processing (fits over locators for scanning) |
Note: All spacers are designed to provide passive fit with adequate clearance over the locator.
Scanning and Impression Requirements
| Workflow | Required Records / Components |
|---|---|
| Digital scanning | Arch, existing dentures (upper and lower), occlusion, current dentures; tan autoclavable scan bodies over locators |
| Analog (lab) | Impression copings ("wine glasses") over locators; wash impression with appropriate material |
| Analog (office) | White spacers around locators for blockout; standard wash impression technique |
Tip: Offices doing frequent digital scanning should keep scan bodies on hand. Always contact the lab to confirm scan requirements for each specific case.
Pickup Impressions When Copying Existing Dentures
The approach depends entirely on processing location:
| Processing Location | Pickup Approach |
|---|---|
| Office processing | Spacers block out locator sites |
| Lab processing | Impression copings capture the exact locator position |
Choosing Between Lab and Office Processing
The decision is often less about technical superiority and more about workflow preference, staff training, and comfort level. Both produce excellent results when matched to the right team and case.
| Choose Lab Processing If... | Choose Office Processing If... |
|---|---|
| You want minimal doctor chair time | Your team is trained and comfortable with chairside processing |
| Your office prefers a "deliver ready" workflow | You want higher predictability and control |
| Staff is not trained in pickup techniques | You can manage potential impression issues in-house |
Bottom Line
Workflow type (analog or digital) matters less than who processes the denture cap. Lab processing minimizes chair time but introduces impression and distortion risk. Office processing offers better predictability but requires staff comfort and training. Match your components (impression copings, spacers, or scan bodies) to your chosen processing location, and the case becomes straightforward.
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:
- Phone: (216) 663-2233
- Email: info@roedentallab.com