Setting the Standards for Restorative Dentistry
Inside Dental Technology delivers updates on digital workflows, materials, lab techniques, and innovation in dental technology through expert articles and videos.
September 1, 2024
Volume 15, Issue 7, September 2024
Page(s): p. 14
This year, VITA Zahnfabrik celebrated its 100-year anniversary as a trusted, forward-thinking dental manufacturing company. The celebration took place during Lab Day Chicago in February and was not only a celebration of past achievements, but a showcase of VITA's ongoing commitment to advancing the dental industry. "My favorite part of that celebration was the 100-year timeline wall featured in the back of our Discovery Room," says Patrick Bayer, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for VITA North America. "So many customers were able to reflect on their own dental careers and how VITA was a part of many steps in their journey."
That timeline began with the inception of the family-owned company in 1924 in Essen, Germany, and has continued through four generations as the company has expanded, now employing over 600 people world-wide from approximately 20 nations and distributing its products in over 150 countries. Now led by Emanuel Rauter, Dr. rer. nat., the company looks to continue its legacy and bring dentistry further into the digital age. Under Rauter's leadership, VITA has introduced its Digital Denture portfolio as well as the VITA North America online store, which makes shopping for and ordering materials seamless for the end user.
The now expanded Digital Denture portfolio also offers users more freedom of choice for workflows and materials. The company offers next-level esthetics with the three-dimensional shade gradient of the VITA VIONIC® VIGO denture teeth and the polychrome effect of the VITA VIONIC® DENT DISC multiColor, which is made of the same high-quality material as VITA's premium teeth. "Our free library comes with seven predefined set-up concepts for fabrication of digital dentures using VITA VIONIC VIGO denture teeth," says Bayer. "We also offer users an extended version of the VITA Denture Tooth Library, which includes an STL data export function for try-ins, full dentures, or separate tooth elements and denture base designs. In addition, the Digital Denture portfolio offers users the choice between prefabricated teeth or milled denture teeth with our newest VITA VIONIC® DENT DISC multiColor."
One thing that has remained constant throughout VITA's history is the company's commitment to quality and innovation. The company is perhaps most known for having created and set standards that have shaped the industry for decades, such as its world-renowned VITA classical A1-D4® shade guide and VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER® shade guide. "When people think of VITA, they associate our brand with unparalleled shade accuracy and high-quality materials," says Bayer. "One of the key strengths of VITA has become our 3D-MASTER shade system because it is the only systematic and truly structured dental shade system available. Our shade integrity and consistency is what has brought us into so many dentistry workflows, from digital dentures to restorative materials. The level of accuracy in our product lines is something other companies strive to replicate, but this often results in multiple product line-specific shade guides, which can cause confusion and inconsistency. With VITA products, you can trust the shade is accurate right from the beginning."
The continued innovation and legacy of VITA was also heavily influenced by Henry Rauter. Throughout his tenure as CEO, Henry Rauter set new standards with the introduction of the VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER and the launch of the world's first CAD/CAM block, VITABLOC® MARK I. He also led the transition from VIDENT to VITA North America, truly building a bridge for VITA's customers in the United States and Canada. "I have had the privilege of working with both Henry Rauter and his son, Dr. Emanual Rauter, throughout my time with VITA, and the Rauter family legacy continues to be one of innovation, quality, and steadfast commitment to advancing the dental industry," says Bayer.
Looking forward, VITA is aiming to bridge the gap between analog and digital workflows and meet their customers exactly where they are in their digital denture journey. "While we are excited about our advancements in digital dentistry, we recognize that analog solutions remain integral to the market, especially in premium and implant-based segments," Bayer says. "Our dedication to these traditional products remains evident through several VITA initiatives, including our flexible return policy, ensuring our customers can confidently rely on our products without concern."
Furthermore, according to Bayer, VITA now offers the broadest zirconia portfolio in the market, which includes the company's premium VITA YZ® Solution zirconia disc. This portfolio is also made possible by VITA's partnership as an exclusive distributor of Dental Direkt in North America. "Dental Direkt shares our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction," Bayer says. "Expanding on the success of the Nacera® Pearl multilayer disc, customers will soon have access to the new Dental Direkt Cube Y HL multilayer disc with different translucency levels in a warmer color hue."
In addition, partnership with Dentsply Sirona provides a chairside zirconia option in the CEREC MTL zirconia block.
Throughout VITA's 100 years in the dental industry, one thing that remains constant is the company's commitment to quality and innovation. Whether it be the advanced digital denture portfolio, the stellar training and education platform, VITA Academy, or the long-standing shade standards and tooth lines that the company is most known for, VITA continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the dental world.
VITA North America
vitanorthamerica.com
VITA AKZENT® LC
Featured in IDT's 2022 Game-Changing Products, VITA AKZENT LC stain and glaze system has been praised for its versatility and ease of use, providing a reliable solution for the characterization of digital dentures and enhancing the esthetics of all polymer-based materials.
VITA VIONIC® VIGO
VITA VIONIC VIGO is an SE polymer composite designed for digital denture fabrication. Its three-dimensional shade gradient provides a natural appearance and efficient reproduction of nature in both prefabricated teeth as well as digital denture set ups.
VITA VIONIC® DENT DISC multiColor
This composite disc designed for milling tooth elements for full and partial dentures is made from premium materials and provides a polychrome effect for a natural esthetic. Users also have the choice between prefabricated teeth or milled denture teeth, allowing them to optimize their workflow.
