Treating Minish Restorations Like Art...Vita's Chairman Captivates Again

[Travelogue] Changho Choi, Director of MMC Business Division

The Vita executive meeting was lively after Mr. Kang's presentation. Mr. Lauter's eyes lit up at the full-mouth cases, including Kuchibu Minish. Mr. Lauter, who had visited Today's Dental Clinic in 2018 and was blown away, seemed to be convinced that 'minish = cure' this time.

Mr. Lauter expressed his commitment that "we should be interested in Minish," that "we should actively cooperate with Minish's global activities," and that "we should find joint business." I was impressed that he understood and fully appreciated the value of Minish.

The executives touching and observing the veneers made me feel like I was admiring a work of art. Our skill level, which I had been so intimidated by in person, was world-class. Somewhere in the back of my mind, my stomach was churning.

The working group agreed that we have a good understanding and consensus on the issues, including Minishblock, and I think we have a lot of good things to look forward to.

In the afternoon, I toured the production facility. I was surprised to hear that the ceramic blocks are fully inspected before they are shipped out. It seems that sample inspection is not enough to produce uniform quality. I could feel the stubbornness of the craftsmen who inspect millions of blocks one by one to avoid producing defective products. The technological competitiveness from powder formulation to heat treatment and pressing was amazing, but I wondered if the source of the 100-year history and pride is the 'stubbornness to perfection'.

Before and after the meeting, I took it easy. I marveled at the natural beauty of Switzerland, bruised myself in front of exotic landscapes... and cleared my head. We visited museums and explored every corner of the city, soaking up the European flavor.

This November, Minish Academy is scheduled for foreign doctors from North America and Japan. Europe was left as a blank slate, and I had a feeling that perhaps Vita's web-like network could help Minish expand. I boarded the plane to Incheon with the conviction that Minish's expansion to Europe was not a dream, but an immediate future.