Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 Country	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Countries in which Entity Operates	120
Cost of inventories determined by LIFO method	$ 6,500,000	$ 6,300,000
Cost of inventories determined by LIFO method, amount of increase if FIFO method was used	5,900,000	5,900,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments recorded in AOCI net of tax effects	(88,931,000)	(93,775,000)	208,009,000
Net exchange gains(losses)	(9,000,000)	(2,700,000)		1,700,000
Precious metal content of sales		213,731,000	205,131,000
R&D costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses	85,100,000	85,400,000		66,700,000
Accumulated Translation Adjustment
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustments recorded in AOCI net of tax effects	(72,200,000)	(83,300,000)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustments recorded in AOCI net of tax effects	14,500,000	10,100,000
Precious Metal Content
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Precious metal content of sales	179,100,000	213,700,000	205,100,000
Dental Products
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of sales, professional dental products	88.00%	89.00%	93.00%
Building
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	P40Y
Trade Accounts Receivable
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	14,200,000	13,600,000
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Write-offs	2,500,000	3,800,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,900,000	2,400,000
Notes Receivable
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Write-off of Provision for doubtful accounts	400,000	200,000
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Current	500,000	900,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	$ 0	$ 100,000
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and equipment
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	4 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and equipment
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years