Zürich, May 22, 2025 – At the Alliance for Implant Dentistry’s My Generation Symposium, held at the Resident Eventlocation in Zürich’s OYU-Haus, a crowd of implant professionals gathered to explore a critical topic in modern practice: achieving optimal esthetic outcomes in implant dentistry. The central question posed was both practical and philosophical – when it comes to long-term success in the esthetic zone, should clinicians focus on bone or soft tissue?
Moderated by Dr. Christoph Zbären and Dr. Goran Benic, the afternoon featured two recognized experts offering their clinical perspectives – each advocating for one of the two essential components.
Dr. Daniel Thoma: Advocating for Soft Tissue
Dr. Thoma delivered a clear and confident message: in the esthetic zone, soft tissue is the key to achieving truly natural and lasting results. While adequate bone volume is essential, it is often the soft tissue that makes the difference between a technically successful implant and one that blends seamlessly into a patient’s smile. Esthetics, he argued, is all about volume and contour – and soft tissue offers the finesse needed to shape both.
However, Thoma was not suggesting a soft tissue–only mindset. On the contrary, he emphasized that in many clinical situations, especially in the esthetic zone, a combination of hard and soft tissue augmentation is necessary to meet both biological and visual demands. Regardless of when the implant is placed – immediately, early, or delayed – managing tissue volume remains central to success.
When asked about the ideal graft size, Thoma noted that there are no strict rules due to the variability of clinical scenarios. In practice, clinicians often choose slightly larger grafts to ensure adequate volume, knowing that precision and adaptability matter more than fixed measurements.
Dr. Stefan Hicklin: Making the Case for Bone
In contrast, Dr. Hicklin turned the focus to bone – the structural foundation of implant stability. He outlined how bone loss in the alveolar ridge can compromise both function and esthetics if not addressed. His talk explored various techniques and materials used in bone augmentation, highlighting the value of having predictable, well-established protocols to preserve ridge volume and support long-term outcomes.
While certain materials are more technically demanding than others, Dr. Hicklin stressed that clinicians have a range of viable options depending on their experience and the specific clinical challenge. Like Dr. Thoma, he emphasized that in most real-world cases, a combination of soft tissue and bone strategies is necessary for truly successful treatment.
Shared Takeaway: Master the Basics
Though their approaches differed, both speakers landed on common ground. The focus should not be on promoting overly complex procedures, but rather on enabling clinicians to confidently apply simple, reliable methods that lead to healthy, esthetic results.
The session concluded with an open discussion that brought together experienced clinicians and younger colleagues. Several case examples were reviewed in a collaborative exchange, reinforcing one of the day’s most important messages: there is no universal solution. Every patient requires a personalized approach, and success begins with thorough planning and a careful assessment of individual needs.
In the end, the clear consensus was that excellent outcomes in the esthetic zone depend on knowing when to augment bone, when to focus on soft tissue – and often, when to do both. But above all, it depends on doing the fundamentals well.