A Successful Company History
Foundation in 1936
Messrs Steen and Zech, respectively sculptor and businessman by profession, founded the company Steen & Zech Zahnfabrik with registered address directly on the lake in the heart of Zurich in 1936. They developed the first tooth moulds with a natural aesthetic appearance and at the same time a special vacuum firing process for the porcelain teeth.
Thanks to these groundbreaking and high-quality products, the founders were able to establish their dental company as one of the significant dental manufacturers in Europe within a short period of time.
After Mr. Zech's shares were sold to Mr. Steen, this successful company was renamed to Candulor AG.
Production of acrylic teeth in 1960
In the 1960s acrylics were developed in such a way to be used in the first Candulor resin tooth line.
Simultaneously a less expensive tooth could be suited on demand and production of the popular Candulor resin teeth began.
To this day, porcelain teeth remain Candulor's speciality.
Collaboration with Prof. Dr. A. Gerber – Condyloform® tooth mould
The cooperation of Prof. Dr. A. Gerber and Candulor AG was primarily based on the close collaboration between the Candulor AG and the Zurich University.
When Prof. Dr. A. Gerber developed his set-up philosophy and the now legendary Condyloform® tooth mould, Candulor began manufacturing this tooth line in close cooperation and to this date produces it without any changes.
With the spread of the set-up philosophy, which remains part of the curriculum at many universities today, the name Candulor became widely known around the world in conjunction with porcelain teeth.
Candulor in Germany
With the purchase of "Bodensee Dental" Depot in the 1970s, the distribution channels in Germany were restructured. Bodensee Dental was renamed to Candulor Dental GmbH headquartered in Rielasingen-Worblingen.
This was also the start for selling through direct distribution channels with trained specialists throughout Germany.
Acquisition of Candulor from Ivoclar Vivadent
Mr. Stehen, the owner, decided to sell the company in the early 70s. One of the competitors, Ivoclar AG, took over.
In subsequent years the production was relocated to Ivoclar in Liechtenstein.
Since 1972 the Candulor AG is a subsidiary of Ivoclar AG in Schaan (FL).
Move to Wangen/ZH
Due to economic factors (i.e. logistics, accessibility etc.) Candulor AG relocated in 1991 from Zurich Centre to the outskirts in Wangen/ZH (near Zurich Airport) which is where the company is situated until today.
This is where you will find the Sales and Marketing departments as well as the entire warehouse.
Complete prosthetic system
This prosthetic system was presented for the first time in 1999 with the launch of the KunstZahnWerk® competition.
Today, Candulor is one of the few companies to offer a complete prosthetic system.
Candulor specialists pass on this know-how to other dental professionals around the globe through ongoing user courses.
Candulor product portfolio
In the following 15 years the product range has been significantly expanded: new tooth lines, new acrylics, dental devices and materials for characterizing the teeth as well as denture base materials round off the range.
Milestones
In the year 2000 the tooth lines PhysioSet® and Bonartic® made of new materials TCR (TwinCrossResin) were introduced into the market.
In 2006 Candulor adapted the Condyloform® tooth line in cooperation with Prof. Dr. S. Palla of Zurich University to accommodate the new market requirements with regard to aesthetics and function and now produces this Condyloform® II tooth in a new abrasion-resistant NFC material which is quite unique in the market.
In 2008 Candulor extended the anterior tooth line by adding the PhysioStar® NFC to their product portfolio, again using the new abrasion-resistant NFC® material. The PhysioStar® tooth shapes are copies of natural teeth which were prosthetically optimized.
To meet the demands for a posterior tooth line which is in accordance with the physiological set-up philosophy, the Bonartic® II NFC was developed and launched in 2010.
Candulor in the U.S.
In order to extend distribution in the U.S., Candulor USA Inc. was founded in Los Angeles, CA in 2008.
Customers are being supplied directly from Los Angeles as well as through a selected and appropriately trained dealer network.
Further emphasis is set on courses and exhibitions on site.
Bodensee Dental – Special Dental Products
The Bodense Dental GmbH is a subsidiary of Candulor Dental GmbH. This new company is specialized in global search and procurement of exceptional dental products.
The kind of products previously unavailable in the German market and tailored to the existing Candulor product range.
