Net Sales, Excluding Precious Metal Content (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	$ 2,771,728		$ 2,714,698		$ 2,332,587
Precious metal content of sales			213,731		205,131
Net Sales, including precious metal content	2,950,770		2,928,429		2,537,718
Operating Segments [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Precious metal content of sales	179,042
Operating Segments [Member] | Dental Consumable and Laboratrory Businesses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	842,736		816,281		824,341
Net Sales, including precious metal content	991,694		993,624		992,406
Operating Segments [Member] | Orthodontics/Canada/Mexico/Japan [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	278,994		286,680		276,228
Net Sales, including precious metal content	307,160		320,614		309,143
Operating Segments [Member] | Select Distribution Businesses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	267,300		252,064		252,539
Net Sales, including precious metal content	267,949		252,632		253,421
Operating Segments [Member] | Implants/Endodontics/Healthcare/Pacific Rim [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	1,386,883		1,363,344		984,509
Net Sales, including precious metal content	1,388,152		1,365,231		987,778
Operating Segments [Member] | All Other
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	(4,185)	[1]	(3,671)	[1]	(5,030)	[1]
Net Sales, including precious metal content	$ (4,185)		$ (3,672)	[2]	$ (5,030)	[2]

[1] Includes amounts recorded at Corporate headquarters

[2] Includes amounts recorded at Corporate headquarters.