The E-B-C Concept: Designing the Implant Emergence Profile with Biologic Precision with Dr. Jonathan Esquivel,

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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.