Ivoclar

Ivoclar is a global dental company headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein. The business develops and manufactures products and systems used by dentists, dental laboratories, and other dental professionals across restorative, prosthetic, preventive, and digital workflows. Its portfolio spans materials, equipment, and supporting systems for both clinical treatment and the fabrication of dental restorations. The company was established in Zurich in 1923 and moved its operations to Liechtenstein in 1933. It initially made artificial teeth, but gradually expanded into a broader dental manufacturer serving professional users. The historical development of the business reflects the wider evolution of dentistry from conventional removable prosthetics toward adhesive restorations, aesthetic ceramics, composite materials, digitally assisted design and manufacturing, and integrated treatment workflows. Ivoclar organizes its activities around four broad areas: digital dentistry, direct restorative dentistry, fixed prosthetics, and removable prosthetics. Products associated with these areas include restorative composites, ceramics, adhesives, processing systems, and digital or laboratory equipment. The company’s established product families include IPS e.max for ceramic restorative applications, Tetric for direct restorative materials, and Adhese for adhesive dentistry. The range is intended to connect the work of the dental practice with that of the dental laboratory rather than focus on a single isolated product category. Research and professional education are important parts of Ivoclar’s operating model. The company maintains an internal research and development centre in Schaan and collaborates with universities and scientific institutes. It also operates the International Center for Dental Education at its Schaan headquarters, with additional regional centres, providing courses and continuing education for dental professionals. Ivoclar has an international distribution and operating network that includes 56 subsidiaries and branch offices and serves approximately 130 countries. The company employed about 3,600 people according to the reference material. In 2019, it introduced a mobile application intended to support dental consultation. In 2022, the company simplified its public brand name by dropping “Vivadent” and using “Ivoclar.” In 2023, it opened a new head-office building in Schaan while marking its centenary. Leadership also changed during this period: Diego Gabathuler became chief executive in 2019, later left the role in 2023, and was succeeded by Markus Heinz. Ivoclar’s current positioning is that of a specialized, innovation-oriented dental materials and technology supplier. Its customers are primarily professional rather than consumer users, and its offering combines consumables, laboratory and practice equipment, digital dentistry capabilities, technical support, and education.

Ivoclar was founded in Zurich in 1923. Its initial business centred on artificial teeth, placing the company within the early industrial development of modern dental prosthetics. In 1933, the company relocated to Liechtenstein, where Schaan later became its headquarters and a central location for manufacturing, research, education, and corporate operations. Over time, Ivoclar expanded beyond artificial teeth into a broad portfolio of dental materials, equipment, and systems. The company’s development followed major changes in professional dentistry, including the increased use of tooth-coloured restorative materials, ceramic restorations, adhesive techniques, laboratory processing systems, and computer-supported design and manufacturing. Rather than operating only as a supplier of individual consumables, Ivoclar developed product families intended to support multiple stages of clinical and laboratory workflows. Its business is described in four principal areas: digital dentistry, direct restoratives, fixed prosthetics, and removable prosthetics. This structure covers products and systems used in dental practices and laboratories, including composites, ceramics, adhesives, artificial teeth, processing equipment, and digital solutions. Product families such as IPS e.max, Tetric, and Adhese represent the company’s presence in ceramic, direct restorative, and adhesive applications respectively. Research and professional training became significant components of the company’s identity. Ivoclar operates a research and development centre in Schaan and works with universities and scientific institutes. Its International Center for Dental Education, also located at the Schaan headquarters, provides dental courses and continuing education. Regional ICDE centres extend this educational activity into other markets. The company continued to internationalize its operations and distribution. The reference material describes a network of 56 subsidiaries and branch offices, with products shipped to approximately 130 countries and a workforce of roughly 3,600 people. Ivoclar therefore operates as a multinational business serving professional dental customers rather than as a consumer-facing oral-care brand. In 2019, the company launched a mobile application for dental consultation. The same year brought a change in senior leadership when Diego Gabathuler became chief executive officer, succeeding Robert Ganley, who had led the company for sixteen years. In 2022, the business simplified its name by dropping “Vivadent” and adopting Ivoclar as its public brand identity. In 2023, Gabathuler resigned to pursue opportunities outside the dental industry and Markus Heinz became chief executive. That year also saw the inauguration of a new head-office building in Schaan and the company’s celebration of its 100th anniversary. Today, Ivoclar is positioned as an international dental technology and materials company with activities spanning restorative dentistry, prosthetics, digital workflows, equipment, research, and professional education.

1. 2023New head office inaugurated and centenary celebrated

   Ivoclar opened a new head-office building in Schaan and marked 100 years since its founding.

   Source
2. 2023Markus Heinz becomes chief executive

   Markus Heinz succeeded Diego Gabathuler as chief executive officer.

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3. 2022Brand name shortened to Ivoclar

   The company dropped “Vivadent” from its public name and adopted Ivoclar as its principal brand identity.

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4. 2019Mobile dental consultation application launched

   Ivoclar introduced a mobile application intended to support dental consultation.

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5. 2019Diego Gabathuler becomes chief executive

   Diego Gabathuler succeeded Robert Ganley as chief executive officer.

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6. 1933Relocation to Liechtenstein

   The company moved its operations to Liechtenstein, which became the base for its later international development.

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7. 1923Company founded in Zurich

   Ivoclar was established in Zurich and initially produced artificial teeth.

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A professional, research-led supplier of premium dental materials, laboratory equipment, digital dentistry systems, and integrated restorative and prosthetic workflows.

• IPS e.maxDental ceramics

  IPS e.max is an Ivoclar product family associated with aesthetic ceramic dentistry and fixed restorative applications. It forms part of the company’s ceramics offering for professional dental and laboratory workflows.

• TetricDirect restorative materials

  Tetric is a product family for direct restorative dentistry. It is associated with composite and related materials used by dental professionals in tooth-coloured restorative procedures.

• AdheseDental adhesives

  Adhese is an Ivoclar adhesive product family used in adhesive restorative workflows. It represents the company’s offering in bonding materials for professional dental applications.

• Digital dentistry systemsDigital dentistry

  Ivoclar’s digital dentistry activity comprises products and systems intended to support digitally assisted dental treatment and laboratory fabrication. The reference material identifies digital dentistry as one of the company’s four principal product areas but does not specify a complete product list.

• Fixed prosthetics portfolioFixed prosthodontics

  The fixed prosthetics portfolio covers materials and systems used in the production and placement of fixed dental restorations. It includes ceramic and other restorative solutions supplied to dental professionals and laboratories.

• Removable prosthetics portfolioRemovable prosthodontics

  The removable prosthetics portfolio supports the fabrication of removable dental restorations. It reflects Ivoclar’s historical connection with artificial teeth and its wider range of materials and systems for laboratory prosthetic work.

• 2023New headquarters inaugurated during centenary yearStrategy

  Ivoclar reached its 100th anniversary while maintaining Schaan as a central location for its corporate, research, and educational activities.

  What changed. The company inaugurated a new head-office building in Schaan.

  Aftermath. The opening coincided with the company’s centenary celebrations. No investment amount or financial outcome is provided in the reference material.

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• 2022Corporate brand simplification to IvoclarStrategy

  The company reviewed its public naming and brand identity after operating for many years as Ivoclar Vivadent.

  What changed. Ivoclar removed “Vivadent” from its public name and began using Ivoclar as the principal brand name.

  Aftermath. The business continued operating under the Ivoclar name; the available material does not quantify the commercial effects of the change.

  Source
• 2019Launch of a dental consultation mobile applicationProduct launch

  Ivoclar sought to extend its professional dental offering into a mobile consultation format.

  What changed. The company introduced a mobile application intended to support dental consultation.

  Aftermath. The available reference material confirms the launch but does not provide adoption or commercial performance data.

  Source

• 2023Markus Heinz succeeds Diego Gabathuler as chief executive

  Diego Gabathuler left the chief executive position to pursue opportunities outside the dental industry, and Markus Heinz succeeded him.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2023Ivoclar opens a new head-office building and marks its centenary

  Ivoclar inaugurated a new head-office building in Schaan and commemorated 100 years since its founding.

  Other
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• 2022Ivoclar adopts the shorter Ivoclar brand name

  The company removed “Vivadent” from its public name and began using Ivoclar as its principal brand name.

  Other
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• 2022Ivoclar adopts its shorter brand name

  The company dropped the Vivadent element from its public name and began operating under the Ivoclar name.

  Other
  Source
• 2019Ivoclar launches a dental consultation mobile application

  Ivoclar introduced a mobile application designed to support dental consultation and patient-professional interactions.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2019Diego Gabathuler appointed chief executive officer

  Diego Gabathuler became Ivoclar’s chief executive officer, succeeding Robert Ganley after Ganley’s sixteen-year tenure in the role.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2019Diego Gabathuler becomes Ivoclar chief executive

  Diego Gabathuler was appointed chief executive officer, succeeding Robert Ganley after Ganley's sixteen-year tenure in the role.

  Leadership change
  Source

1. Ivoclar