Product Evaluation

ZEST Anchors LLC

LOCATOR Overdenture Implant System Evaluation

LODI represents 4 decades of attachment knowledge incorporated into narrow diameter overdenture implants.

When asked what he liked best about ZEST Anchors' LOCATOR Overdenture Implant (LODI) System, an evaluator with 45 years of experience said, "[The] ease of use of the attachment."

Choosing a narrow diameter implant often meant a sacrifice in attachment performance and ultimately patient satisfaction. To provide patients with the quality of care that they desire, an increasing number of clinicians have recognized the benefits of using the next generation of narrow diameter implants for retaining overdentures.

The LODI system has answered clinician requests and patient demands for a less invasive, predictable, and cost-conscious technique for securing dentures. The LODI system now allows users to treat patients with the minimum standard of care of an implant-supported overdenture at a reduced cost and with greater satisfaction.

Eight dentists participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation of ZEST Anchors' LODI System, rating such features as surgical instrumentation ease of use, flexibility, and initial primary stability.

Surgical Instrumentation Ease of Use

Manufacturer Description: Featuring narrow diameter implants with the LOCATOR Attachment, the LODI system is a less invasive, predictable, and durable implant retained overdenture option for patients that also answers patient demands for an effective and cost-conscious technique for securing dentures.

Evaluator Feedback: An evaluator from Shelton, WA, who noted that the LODI system is much better than similar products, said, "Ease of use, cost, patient acceptance, and extremely useful for partials too." This same evaluator said he would definitely use it again in the future and recommend it to his colleagues. Ease of use with the LODI system was rated as excellent or very good by 88% of the evaluators.

Flexibility

Manufacturer Description: The LODI is available in 2.4 mm and 2.9 mm diameters and 10 mm, 12 mm, or 14 mm lengths for placement in all ridges. Each implant is conveniently packaged with a LOCATOR Attachment available in 2.5 mm or 4 mm cuff heights for implant placement flexibility, attachment interchangeability, and replacement should wear occur throughout time.

Evaluator Feedback: A dentist who rated all aspects of the LODI system as excellent said he liked, "[The] ability to change abutment height." Another evaluator reported that he liked "the low profile of the LOCATOR Attachment and denture housing."

When asked what could be improved about the product, or if they had any advice to pass along to the manufacturer, one evaluator said, "This is such a good implant I would like to see some fixed prosthetic options for restoring teeth in narrow ridges such as mandibular incisors," while a dentist in practice for 20 years said, "You can package the LOCATOR Attachment separately from the implant. This will provide more flexibility of choice for tissue height, instead of committing from the beginning."

Initial Primary Stability

Manufacturer Description: LODI is used to restore masticatory function for the patient and may be suitable for immediate function if sufficient primary stability of the implant is achieved at the time of placement. The implant's thread design widens at the coronal portion for primary stability when immediate loading may be indicated. Its self-tapping design provides clinicians ease of implant insertion and increased implant stability.

Evaluator Feedback: A Poplar Bluff, MO, dentist who cited ease of placement and initial primary stability as his favorite features said, "[He liked the] initial stability, versatility of retention, and versatility of revision of parts." Another evaluator also added that the feature he liked most was, "[The] denture retention." Initial stability was rated as excellent or very good by 6 evaluators.

Overall Satisfaction

Seven evaluators called the LODI system much or somewhat better than similar products, with comments such as, Immediacy, patient acceptance, and such a good implant. A dentist in practice for 30 years said, "[I] very much like the product," while an evaluator in practice for 42 years said, "[This is the] best product available for denture stability for middle class people who can't afford All-on-Four! for $30K to $40K."