The Foundation of Implant Success: Bone, Tissue & Clinical Judgment with Dr. Juan Lara Chao & Dr. Jose Luis Mompell

Successful implant reconstruction requires more than rebuilding bone. Soft tissue management, clinical judgment, and complication prevention all play essential roles.In this episode of On the Mic with MAP: Mapping the Way to Predictable Implant Dentistry, Dr. Michael A. Pikos welcomes Dr. Jose Luis Mompell and Dr. Juan L. Chao to discuss the evolution of reconstructive oral surgery.Together, they explore autogenous bone grafting, the Khoury Split Bone Block technique, and how digital guides and 3D printed models are changing their approach to bone augmentation. They also share lessons from their own complications and explain why clinicians need a thoughtful progression from simpler cases to more demanding reconstructions.Discover why they describe soft tissue as an implant’s “seatbelt,” how portions of their digital workflow move outside the patient’s mouth, and why technology still depends on the surgeon’s hands.The conversation also previews their three-day Mastering Reconstructive Oral Surgery course at the Pikos Institute in February 2027.Explore continuing education opportunities at PikosInstitute.com.00:14 Welcome and guest introductions01:25 Background in oral surgery and bone augmentation02:14 The growing need for reconstructive treatment03:10 Integrating soft tissue and digital workflows04:43 Preview of the three-day Pikos Institute course05:15 Why soft tissue instruction comes before bone grafting06:02 Building confidence through step-by-step training08:05 Understanding the Khoury Split Bone Block technique09:25 Horizontal, vertical, and combined defects10:30 Their philosophy on autogenous tissue11:48 Soft tissue as an implant’s “seatbelt”13:04 Complications and lessons from their own cases15:56 How their reconstructive protocols evolved 17:12 Transitioning to digitally designed procedures18:37 Case selection and the learning curve22:42 How their guided digital workflow began23:09 Guides, templates, and working outside the mouth24:15 Initial skepticism and site-specific bone harvesting25:12 Shaping and transferring bone plates using a 3D printed model26:01 Why digital technology still depends on soft tissue management26:46 Dr. Pikos reflects on tissue thickness and graft protection28:23 Course preview and closing invitationConnect with us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pikosinstituteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pikosinstitute/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pikos-institute/Twitter/X: ⁠https://x.com/PikosInstituteSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Sj8qBsxCM8az1BmWzIdUi?si=51d7a9dad5f0405dApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-mic-with-map-podcast-mapping-the-way/id1878393358