In a recent whitepaper, Zest Dental Solutions, one of the world’s top dental implant manufacturers, conducted an in-depth analysis of the material options for LOCATOR FIXED® applications, an emerging alternative to screw-retained hybrid prosthetics.
When evaluating the prosthetic strength for LOCATOR FIXED®, Zest highlighted SprintRay’s OnX Tough 2 photopolymer for its surprisingly high resistance to fracture. The study found that OnX Tough 2 performed exceptionally well despite lacking a substructure, making it a strong and reliable choice for clinicians adopting digital workflows for chairside fixed prosthetics.
In this post, we’ll go over what exactly this means, provide an overview of the other material options available, and discuss the clinical need for hybrid prosthetics like LOCATOR FIXED® over traditional screw-retained hybrid prosthetics.
But let’s start at the beginning with an overview of LOCATOR FIXED®.
What Is LOCATOR FIXED®?
When a patient presents with complete edentulism, their options traditionally fall into two categories: removable dentures or fixed restorations that screw into their jawbone. LOCATOR FIXED® offers a hybrid fixed-retained alternative, where the full-arch implant snaps into Locator abutments without needing screws. This combines the stability of fixed restorations with the ease of maintenance of removable solutions as the clinician, hygienist, or dental assistant can easily remove the prosthesis with a simple to use removal tool in a matter of moments.
This approach, due to its unique design minimizes surgical invasiveness, the complexity of the implant procedure, cuts down on long-term maintenance, and reduces the number of clinical visits required to perform the procedure. In essence — LOCATOR FIXED® reduces the chairside complexity and offers the same (or better) durability and strength as traditional fixed applications.
Clinical Need For LOCATOR FIXED®
Traditional removable dentures have long been a less-than-ideal solution for edentulous patients due to their instability. Dentures move while speaking and eating, can break, require denture adhesive, and often result in discomfort that forces patients to modify their diets. Additionally, they need to be removed at night to prevent complications and require meticulous cleaning.
On the other hand, screw-retained fixed prosthetics solve many of these issues but introduce their own challenges. They require invasive surgical placement, making them a more complex procedure for patients. Cleaning and maintenance are also more challenging due to the need to visit the dentist to have them removed, which can contribute to non-compliance leading to complications over time.
LOCATOR FIXED® provides a balanced alternative by offering a snap-in, full-arch solution that is easier to maintain while still providing the durability of a fixed restoration.
Material Options For LOCATOR FIXED® Prosthetics
This is why Zest sought to identify which materials are indicated for LOCATOR FIXED® applications, considering strength, esthetics, and function.
Straight from the whitepaper, the options include:
- high-strength or esthetic zirconia
- denture teeth and PMMA on a metal frame (traditional analog prosthesis)
- monolithic PMMA with a metal frame (milled)
- monolithic PMMA without a metal frame (milled)
- monolithic resin photopolymer materials (3D printed)
- nanoceramic hybrid resin photopolymer materials (3D printed)*
- and nanoceramic/PMMA hybrid (milled)
*the category within which OnX Tough 2 resides
The whitepaper also notes that although no ideal material for LOCATOR FIXED® exists, the best material is “one that balances out strength, esthetics, and function.” The decision on which material to choose should be made on a case-by-case basis.
While zirconia still has the highest flexural strength of all prosthetics, digitally-produced restorations are growing in popularity and showing improvement, as laboratories and clinicians embrace digital technology. “CAD/CAM prosthetics, notably milled PMMA, utilize a denser resin material that is industrially produced under high pressure and controlled environments that produce higher strength prosthetics,” the study says.
Why OnX Tough 2?
One of the key takeaways from the Zest whitepaper is that SprintRay’s OnX Tough 2 photopolymer demonstrated high resistance to fracture loads even without a substructure. This means that dental professionals can rely on OnX Tough 2 for durable, long-lasting LOCATOR FIXED® prosthetics without needing additional reinforcement.
Thanks to these fracture-resistant properties, OnX Tough 2 presents a great option for offices looking to conduct LOCATOR FIXED® applications. The resin is tried and true, with clinical and lab testing behind it. The resin is becoming a popular choice among dentists and laboratories worldwide due to its reliability and performance. It is not only suitable for final restorations but is also an excellent material for temporary 30-, 60-, or 90-day provisional prostheses, allowing clinicians to become comfortable with the process before fully transitioning to digital LOCATOR FIXED® workflows.
Conclusion
The findings of the whitepaper reinforce that Zest LOCATOR FIXED®, when combined with OnX Tough 2 resin, presents a compelling solution for clinicians and patients alike. By offering a balance of strength, esthetics, and ease of use, OnX Tough 2 allows practices to provide a cutting-edge solution for full-arch restorations with confidence.
For dental professionals looking to integrate this material into their practice, OnX Tough 2 is a proven choice that enhances the LOCATOR FIXED® workflow while maintaining high-performance durability.
Reach out to a member of SprintRay’s team to learn how Zest LOCATOR FIXED® and SprintRay OnX Tough 2 can change your practice.
<Link to the whitepaper>