Intersegment Net Sales (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Eliminations	$ (601,374)		$ (540,766)		$ (511,989)
Total	0		0		0
U.S., Germany and Certain Other European Regions Consumable Businesses
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Intersegment net sales	116,228		116,440		104,328
France, U.K., Italy snd Certain Other European Countries, CIS, Middle East, Africa, Pacific Rim Businesses
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Intersegment net sales	21,048		17,103		13,202
Canada/ Latin America/ Endodontics/ Orthodontics/ Astra Tech
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Intersegment net sales	139,142		115,158		103,329
Dental Laboratory Business/ Implants/ Non Dental
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Intersegment net sales	113,298		112,285		114,591
All Other
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Intersegment net sales	$ 211,658	[1]	$ 179,780	[1]	$ 176,539	[1]

[1] Includes amounts recorded at Corporate headquarters.