Product Information
Attachments
Implant Prosthetics

The LOCATOR® Implant Abutment System is arguably the World’s most popular implant attachment system. Specifically designed for full-arch or partial overdentures, the LOCATOR® Abutment system pivots and self-aligns to assure proper insertion, removal, and retention during function.

  • Self-Aligning Attachments
  • Simple patient insertion/removal of prosthesis
  • Unique patented pivoting technology
  • Compensates for path of insertion up to 40° of divergence between implants

During seating, the LOCATOR® nylon male pivots inside the denture cap, centering the nylon male on the female abutment before engagement. These two actions in concert allow the LOCATOR® to self-align, enabling patients to easily seat their overdenture without the need for accurate alignment and without causing damage to the attachment components.

The LOCATOR® system offers standard and extended range retention inserts which are designed for maximum versatility, retention and angulation to suit each patient’s needs.

LOCATOR-Feature-Image-Overdenture-Implant
LOCATOR-Feature-Image-Overdenture-Implant

The LOCATORs pivoting action and self-aligning design allow the attachments to seat effortlessly 

The rounded surface of the LOCATOR® attachment allows the male to center on the attachment before engagement so it can easily locate its proper position while the LOCATOR® male pivots inside the denture cap

Once seated, the LOCATORs dual retention feature provides a firm connection both inside and outside of the attachment, delivering twice the amount of retention surface area compared to other attachments 

Also once seated the LOCATOR® male remains in static contact with the attachment while the denture cap, which is processed into the overdenture, has a full range of rotational movement over the male for a genuine resilient engagement of the prosthesis without any resulting loss of retention 

LOCATORs Root & Bar Attachments are made of high quality carbide something or another and work with all major dental implant manufacturers.

LOCATOR® Standard Range Males
  • Allows for insertion of the overdenture onto the dental implant abutment with up to 20° of divergence between both dental implants
  • Available in 1.5, 3.0, 5.0 or 8.0 lbs retention force
  • Retention force can be evaluated chairside depending on patient preference for level of ease-of-insertion and removal
LOCATOR-Abutments-Extended-Range-Males
  • Allow for insertion of the overdenture onto the dental implant abutment with up to an extensive 40° of divergence between dental implants
  • Available in 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 or 4.0 lbs retention force

LOCATOR® Processing packages come in a variety of options. Replacement components can be purchased individually or in larger quantity insert packs.

LOCATORs Impression Copings, Analogs & Tools are made of high quality carbide something or another and work with all major dental implant manufacturers.

LOCATOR® Implant Attachment Specifications
LOCATOR® Implant Attachment Specifications
LOCATOR® Implant Attachment Specifications
LOCATOR® Implant Attachment Specifications

CUFF/TISSUE HEIGHT

LOCATOR® implant abutments should be ordered to the exact height of the gingival measurement.

The LOCATOR® Implant abutment has a built in additional 1.5mm of height. This 1.5mm allows the male attachment to fully seat on to the the abutment.

Please do not add 1.5mm to your measurements.

8000080 - Cuff Height Measuring Tool

Q.Why are the Retention Inserts pulling out the housing?

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A1.

The path of insertion is likely too divergent for the standard inserts. Consider the extended range males (red, orange, green) which will accommodate a divergent implant between 10 and 20 degrees (40 degrees between implants).

LOCATOR® Implant Attachment Specifications

Q.Why is there no retention with this NEW prosthesis?

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A1.

Make sure you can see the line of demarcation (undercut between the retentive area of the abutment and cuff height portion) is above the gingiva, allowing the housing and insert to engage with the Abutment. LOCATOR® implant abutments should be ordered to the exact height of the gingival measurement. The LOCATOR® implant abutment has a built in additional 1.5mm of height. This allows the male attachment to full seat on the abutment. Please do not add 1.5mm to your measurement.

LOCATOR® Implant Attachment Specifications
A2.

Try a housing or impression coping loaded with any nylon insert on the abutment. With finger pressure, is there retention? Is the housing making contact with the gingiva?

A3.

If there is retention with the impression coping/housing test, it is a high spot. Use indicating paste to check for acrylic high spots or alignment of the attachment.

A4.

If the position of the housing is out of alignment with the abutment, remove the nylon male, take a hot soldering tip and transfer heat into the housing (softening up the retaining acrylic), and pull the housing out of the prosthesis. Place a new black male into the housing, sandblast and prime, and go forward with the normal chairside pickup procedures. Make sure to only put pressure over the attachment areas; pressure in the gingival supported areas will cause compression of gingiva and therefore a misalignment of attachment and abutment.

Q.Why is there no retention with this OLD/EXISTING prosthesis?

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A1.

Is the inside of the LOCATOR® abutment clean of debris?

A2.

Do you see any wear facet/gold TiN coming off of the abutment and the silver undercoating showing up? This is likely from worn/rough inserts making vertical striations into the abutment when the patient is biting it into place. To check retention, use an impression coping to see if there is retention on the abutment. If no retention, you need a new abutment.

LOCATOR® Implant Attachment Specifications

Plaque build up prevents the inserts from properly engaging with the abutment.

LOCATOR® Implant Attachment Specifications

Common causes for the vertical striations include: poor hygiene, denture cleaner, bruxism, and more.

A3.

Finally, if there is retention, check for a reline.

  • Take a 0.5mm of thin/base plate wax and wrap it around the saddle area of the process.
  • Replace the inserts with the black processing inserts.
  • Seat the prosthesis back in the patient’s mouth and have them come into occlusion.
  • Remove the prosthesis and check for contact marks.
  • If there is no contact, that means there has been a loss of more than 0.5mm of supportive bone/tissue. Reline to compensate for what has been lost.

Technical Resources

Locators®: Each Model Defined - Tech Talks By PREAT
Troubleshooting Locator Attachments (Part 1 of 2) Tech Talks By PREAT
How To Replace Locator Attachment Males to Increase Retention By PREAT Corporation
Locator Troubleshooting - Fixing Denture Retention Issues By PREAT Corporation
Troubleshooting Locator Attachments (Part 2 of 2) Tech Talks By PREAT