Dental Digest Podcast with Dr. Melissa Seibert cover art

Dental Digest Podcast with Dr. Melissa Seibert

Dental Digest Podcast with Dr. Melissa Seibert

By: Dental Digest Institute & Dr. Melissa Seibert: Dentist
Listen for free

About this listen

 The Dental Digest podcast is a show dedicated to discussing the latest trends, topics, and innovations in the field of dentistry. The podcast was created and is hosted by Dr. Melissa Seibert, a practicing dentist, and features interviews with leading experts in the field of dentistry, including dentists, researchers, educators, and industry professionals. Topics covered on the show range from clinical techniques and technology to practice management and marketing strategies, with a focus on providing actionable insights and practical advice for dental professionals at all stages of their careers. The Dental Digest podcast is available on all major podcast platforms and is a valuable resource for dental professionals looking to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in the field of dentistry. Hygiene & Healthy Living Nature & Ecology Physical Illness & Disease Science
Episodes
  • Managing Occlusion in Wear Patients with Dr. Gregg Kinzer

    Managing Occlusion in Wear Patients with Dr. Gregg Kinzer
    Nov 20 2025

    Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com

    Net32.com

    Follow @dental_digest_podcast Instagram

    Follow @dr.melissa_seibert on Instagram

    His interdisciplinary approach to dentistry is founded in both empirical research and clinical experience. He attended the University of Washington for both his undergraduate and graduate studies where he received his D.D.S. degree in 1995 and an M.S.D. and certificate in Prosthodontics in 1998.

    For his entire career, Dr. Kinzer has been committed to furthering the art and science of dental education. His unique ability to impart complex clinical processes in a logical, systematic and clear methodology differentiates him from other Prosthodontists and makes him a highly regarded educator nationally and internationally. He is a full-time teaching faculty at Spear Education in Scottsdale, AZ. where he is also resides as the Faculty Chairman and Director of Curriculum and Campus Education. Dr. Kinzer is an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the Graduate Prosthodontics Department at the University of Washington School of Dentistry and an Adjunct Faculty at Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health.

    Dr. Kinzer is a member of many professional organizations including the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry and the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, of which he is currently the sitting President. He serves on the editorial review board for several recognized dental publications and has written numerous articles and chapters for dental publication. He has been honored with the American College of Prosthodontics Achievement Award and in 2018, he received the Saul Schluger Memorial Award for Excellence in Diagnosis and Treatment Planning from the Seattle Study Club. In 2022 he was inducted into the World's Top 100 Doctors as part of the Interdisciplinary Cohort.

    In his free time, Gregg cherishes spending time his wife Jill and their 6 children. He enjoys anything that he can do outside: golfing, hiking, running, skiing, and biking, in addition to a nice glass of wine.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • The E-B-C Concept: Designing the Implant Emergence Profile with Biologic Precision with Dr. Jonathan Esquivel,

    The E-B-C Concept: Designing the Implant Emergence Profile with Biologic Precision with Dr. Jonathan Esquivel,
    Nov 12 2025
    Injection Molding PDF Email me: dr.melissaseibert@gmail.com Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Follow @dental_digest_podcast Instagram Follow @dr.melissa_seibert on Instagram In this second installment of Dental Digest's conversation with Dr. Jonathan Esquivel, host Dr. Melissa Seibert and her guest push deeper into the artistry, biology, and discipline required to restore anterior implants that are as functional as they are beautiful. While Part 1 introduced Esquivel's framework of space, volume, and time, this episode focuses on the next frontier—provisionalization, emergence-profile design, and the E-B-C concept that defines the biologic foundations of aesthetic implant therapy. Dr. Esquivel begins by demystifying the provisionalization workflow for anterior implants—whether immediate or delayed. He walks listeners step by step through decision-making factors such as ridge healing, tissue phenotype, and the importance of minimizing the number of disconnections to protect the fragile mucosal seal. He stresses that efficiency in implant dentistry isn't about finishing fast—it's about achieving predictability in the fewest biologically respectful appointments. The discussion then turns to the team-based dynamics between the restorative dentist and the surgeon. Dr. Esquivel details how he coordinates cases digitally, sending STL files and mock-ups for joint planning before the first incision. His six-phase system—Acquisition, Blueprint, Confirmation, Design, Execution, and Follow-up—illustrates how restorative-driven implant dentistry must begin with facial and prosthetic design, not with a drill guide. From there, the episode dives into the chairside artistry of immediate provisionalization. Using a pre-milled shell and temporary cylinder, Dr. Esquivel describes how to "pick up" a provisional and sculpt the subgingival contours in real time. But as he emphasizes, the true challenge lies not in fabrication—but in understanding how material additions and reductions influence soft-tissue behavior. This insight leads to one of the most clinically valuable segments of the episode: Dr. Esquivel's E-B-C concept, an evolution of the classic critical- and subcritical-contour framework. The E-Zone (Esthetic Zone), roughly the first millimeter below the gingival zenith, governs margin stability and the visible pink–white transition. The B-Zone (Biologic or Boundary Zone) supports the mucosal seal and should remain concave to create space for healthy soft tissue. The C-Zone (Crestal Zone), the most apical 1–2 mm, must be slim and biologically quiet to preserve the crestal bone. Dr. Esquivel explains how even subtle over-contouring in these zones can trigger recession or bone loss, while proper shaping promotes long-term harmony between implant and tissue. Using tactile language, he describes his preference for pear-shaped acrylic burs to sculpt the concavity of the B-zone, and how digital workflows now allow clinicians to model these micro-contours virtually before any material is placed. The conversation culminates in a reflection on philosophy as much as technique. Dr. Esquivel urges clinicians to focus on mastering the basics—aesthetic symmetry, biologic respect, and patience—rather than chasing novelty. "An implant is not a tooth," he reminds us. "Our goal is to protect the bone, guide the tissue, and understand what we can't see." Listeners will leave this episode with a detailed understanding of: How to design, print, or fabricate custom provisionals that shape the soft tissue biologically The dimensional logic behind the E-B-C zones and how each governs tissue stability Why limiting abutment disconnections preserves the mucosal seal How digital and analog workflows can be integrated seamlessly And the mindset shift required to see implants not as prosthetic devices, but as biologic restorations Part 2 is both a masterclass in subgingival design and a meditation on restraint. Dr. Esquivel reminds us that excellence in implant aesthetics doesn't come from doing more—it comes from doing less, but with absolute intention.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Implant Aesthetics Unpacked: Biologic Design & Power of Provisionalization with Dr. Jonathan Esquivel

    Implant Aesthetics Unpacked: Biologic Design & Power of Provisionalization with Dr. Jonathan Esquivel
    Nov 5 2025
    Injection Molding PDF Email me dr.melissaseibert@gmail.com Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Follow @dental_digest_podcast Instagram Follow @dr.melissa_seibert on Instagram In this episode of Dental Digest, Dr. Melissa Seibert sits down with prosthodontist and educator Dr. Jonathan Esquivel for part one of an enlightening two-part series that explores the biologic and aesthetic complexities of implant restoration. Known for his meticulous approach and his evidence-based framework of space, volume, and time, Dr. Esquivel brings clarity to one of dentistry's most challenging frontiers: the anterior aesthetic zone. They begin by examining why restoring a single anterior implant is often considered the ultimate test of restorative mastery. Dr. Esquivel explains that implants behave fundamentally differently from natural roots—they lack the periodontal ligament and its vascular support—making soft tissue far less forgiving. Even slight changes in tissue contour or bone volume can compromise long-term success. He introduces his four cornerstones for implant predictability: luck (biologic variability), three-dimensional positioning, emergence-profile design, and patient maintenance, emphasizing that precision and patient education are inseparable. The conversation then turns to three-dimensional implant positioning and the role of reverse-engineered planning. Dr. Esquivel insists that every implant must begin with the end in mind—by first visualizing where the tooth should be. He details how ideal placement, roughly 4 mm apical to the planned incisal edge and aligned toward the cingulum, forms the foundation for natural emergence and long-term stability. But true success, he notes, depends equally on interdisciplinary collaboration—sometimes requiring orthodontic repositioning or periodontal modification before an implant is ever placed. Dr. Esquivel and Dr. Seibert next tackle the aesthetic challenge of adjacent implants and the pursuit of symmetry. Perfect papillae between centrals are notoriously difficult to maintain, and Dr. Esquivel discusses techniques—from soft-tissue grafting to orthodontic extrusion—to preserve harmony between the pink and the white. He stresses that treatment planning is as much about patient selection and expectation management as it is about surgical technique: "The hardest part isn't the implant—it's finding a patient willing to go through the process." The discussion deepens into the critical role of soft tissue in achieving lasting aesthetics. Dr. Esquivel explains his distinction between margin-preservation therapies (maintaining existing tissue contours) and margin-re-establishment therapies (rebuilding lost dimensions). He makes a compelling case that most anterior implants benefit from connective-tissue grafting, since thicker tissue phenotypes promote margin stability, mask restorative materials, and protect against recession. From there, the episode explores ridge dimensional changes after extraction—why bone and soft-tissue collapse are inevitable without intervention, and how provisional restorations can slow this process. Dr. Esquivel cautions against relying on removable flippers, which may accelerate resorption, and instead advocates for properly designed Essix retainers or fixed provisionals that maintain space without transmitting occlusal pressure. His guiding principle: space, volume, and time—allowing tissue to heal in an environment that supports both biological integrity and aesthetic form. The conversation culminates with an in-depth reflection on the biological and prosthetic purpose of provisionalization. Drawing on insights from Dr. Todd Schoenbaum, Dr. Esquivel reframes the provisional phase not as optional, but as biologically mandatory. The provisional guides tissue healing, allows for gradual adaptation, and provides essential information for the ceramist—ensuring that the final crown replicates the ideal emergence contours established chairside. As Dr. Esquivel puts it, "Dentists should take credit not for the white, but for the pink—the transition zone we've designed and stabilized." By the end of this episode, listeners will gain a detailed understanding of: How to apply Dr. Esquivel's space–volume–time model to aesthetic implant planning The biologic reasoning behind connective-tissue grafting and margin-preservation therapies Why provisionalization is central to both soft-tissue stability and prosthetic accuracy How to communicate healing timelines and realistic expectations to patients Part one of this series is both technically rigorous and refreshingly human—an exploration of how aesthetic implant success lies not in speed or convenience, but in respecting biology, sequencing, and time.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.