Inside the Mind of Willi Geller

Inside the Mind of Willi Geller、MDT-Part 1

PA: Do you have any favorite restoration type for single teeth or multiple teeth?

WG: I personally do a lot of metal ceramic, over 90% for crowns and bridges. I do a lot of all ceramics for singles or partial restorations,

and sometimes zirconium is very nice. I decide what type of materials I will use for each case; the dentist can request a certain type of material, but in the end, I determine what will be he best for the case.

PA: The true structure and actual case dictates what product you're comfortable with.Is that correct?

WG: Yes, and a lot is dependent on the mechanics and stability of the patient's function. It is not good when someone says that they do everything with one technique 

or one material. You have to know what are the best materials and techniques available for the particular case and patient.

PA: I agree. Now, let me ask what people always ask me about you: Do you have any background in art, such as painting or sculpting?

WG: Yes, I do. But I am not good at painting because it is two dimensional. I like to sculpt a lot. However, when I opened my own lab,

I had to stop sculpting, because it's very time-consuming. So, I started to collect sculpture instead. I also collect other forms of art. My experience with artists is that they are very intolerant, because they are interested only in their own work, whereas collectors can have many different works of art from many different artists.

PA: Have you done intensive studies of natural tooth form and structure to be able to create beautiful lifelike restorations?

WG: Yes, I learned from nature, as we all should, and I continue to do so. More than 40 years ago when I was working as a technician in a laboratory,

one of my friends came to me, looked at my work, and said, "This is a typical Willi crown." I will never forget that; I did not like that statement. I don't want my work to look like "typical Willi"-I want it to look like nature. I constantly observe nature so that I can continue to learn from it and work better. Artistry make my is about creativity.

PA: What is the key ingredient or information that you need from your dentist to create the proper communication? I know that you see patients as well,

but if you have not seen the patient, what is it that you require?

WG: It's always good to have photographs with relaxed lips, one smiling, and a big smile; as well as intra oral photos and a full-face photo, either relaxed

or smiling.

PA: Do you also communicate via video?

WG: A little. E-mails have made it much easier to communicate.

PA: You were the first to mix stains and modifiers to create three dimensional ceramics. Now the products have improved, and they have fluorescence and

everything else that we need, so what is your secret to creating the lifelike vitality of a natural tooth?

WG: You must have a goal in mind, you need to know what you desire, and what you want to achieve.

You should also know he material that you are using very, very well. Stay with the material until you can achieve the best results possible with it.

PA: In other words, the key is to master the product you use so that it will be as good as it can be.

WG: Yes-you have to know the product that is in your hand.

PA: Besides dentistry, what are you passionate about? What is it that you love in life?

WG: I always have an eye on art. I also have a passion for sailing and I love people. I really love meeting and spending time with new people.

PA: Dental laboratories and dental ceramics seem to be "fading away" in some countries, especially in the U.S. and Europe.

What can the industry do to excite new people, "new blood," into pursuing a career in dental ceramics?

WG : It is extremely unfortunate , but our profession is not very well compensated , especially if someone else employs you .

Our work is hard and it is . stressful . We must have more educated people and better . compensation in order for this industry to grow . If someone has a really good education , they normally don't join our profession because of the low . compensation . It is also hard to encourage people to get into our industry because of this .

PA : Yes , it is a hard profession . My path wasn't that easy , and I know that yours wasn't either , because you were the one who actually changed things for us .

The AACD is the only academy that actually embraces laboratory people and respects how we work together with dentists to reach a common goal . Instead of just talking about it , the AACD actively supports people in coming together to network and talk , and build relationships . That's how we try to encourage people to join the profession .

WG : We do have some young ambitious people who are very good . We also have many young people in the Oral Design Group .

They want to grow , and we should let them . 

 WG : They also want to present on stage . Because my time i very limited and I cannot always do that ,

it is very good that these young people want to share their knowledge .

 PA : The Oral Design Group , of which I'm proud to be a member , just celebrated its 25th anniversary in Switzerland .

Can you tell readers something more about Oral Design ?

WG : I did not create the Oral De sign Group ; it was created by every single member we have . Each member contributes his or her ability ,

and not just in dental ceramics . I remember in particular Mark Anderson , who passed away , was not the greatest ceramist , but he was an exceptional teacher --- I never saw a teacher like him . He was unbelievably good at getting other people excited about the profession . Each member of the group has unique and powerful abilities . But that's not enough --- we all respect each other's abilities , and do not try to get the other members to think in only one way . We are all open minded ; this is amazing in such a big group . Each member knows what to do , and the steps necessary to get there ; it is wonderful . I always say that we may be the best group in the world . Not each of us individually , but collectively .

PA : What was the major turning point in your career that al lowed you to do what you do now ?

WG : I always did what I wanted . That's also what I recommend to young people . They have nothing to lose , only to gain , but they should go their own way .

My generation changed the world , but what worries me about young people today is that they are too addicted to the things that they have ... and seem to be afraid of the things that they have never had . Freedom is the true way to happiness and success .

  In the next issue of the Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry , Mr. Geller shares more about his views on materials , the future role of laboratory technicians , and offshore laboratories . He also discusses his definition of " esthetics , " the future and business aspects of esthetic and restorative dentistry , and what gives him professional satisfaction .

Black -and - white portraits courtesy of Mr. Sascha Hein ( Perth , Western Australia ) .

Inside the Mind of Willi Geller-Part 2

                                                                                                                                   with Pinhas Adar, MDT, CDT

Discovering True Happiness When Nurturing a Passion

Willi Geller, MDT (Zurich, Switzerland), is known around the world as a master in the dental industry. In this interview he shares candidly with one of his former students,

Pinhas Adar, MDT, CDT (Atlanta, GA), his views on the future role of laboratory technicians, and offshore laboratories, among other topics.

Mr. Geller will be presenting at the 27th Annual AACD Scientific Session in Boston,

Massachusetts, May 18-21, 2011. Save the date and register online today at AACD.com.

My achievement, I think, is to just keep growing.

First effect for translucent root. Mr. Geller created this effect with Dicor cast le glass. Different types of ceramic restorations are bonded on extracted teeth, showing the elimination of gray.     

The technician's role will be totally different 20 years from now, but... I think it's the connection, the relationships with people that are really the key.

WG:  It is very hard to do. I can sometimes do it, but only sometimes, and I don't understand why it is not consistent even with the same material. Maybe it

is the wrong day or the wrong moment, I don't know. But creating white teeth that look natural is difficult.                                                     

PA:  What do you see in the future for esthetic and restorative dentistry?

WG:  I believe that cosmetic dentistry will have strong growth partly because Americans have healthy teeth and usually a healthy oral situation. Also, the

economy in areas such as Russia and Eastern Europe is growing, so more and more people can afford cosmetic improvements, Less invasive  procedures to preserve the teeth as much as possible will play a big part in the cosmetic dentistry of the future.

PA:  What are some things that you see from dentists that　make your job harder or easier?

WG: I don't know. Maybe it is really up to me, because one day sometimes is simply better than the next. However, when a dentist is a perfectionist it can really

be hard. The perfectionist can engage in "analysis until paralysis" and that makes it difficult.

PA: I like that. You've already mentioned that machines are not the solution because we will still need ceramists for personal touch, personal communication,

and relationships. However, as CAD/CAM tech takes an everincreasing role in dental ceramics, what role will the future individual master ceramist play?

WG: I do not have a mobile phone, but I'm not really an example for today. That's just my personal decision, but the younger generation has grown up with

technology-the computer is like a pencil for them. You really don't need to be "modern," but you must be "contemporary": technicians cannot avoid this. But it is also essential that we do not let technology "control" us---there always needs to be balance. It is important that we keep our sensitivities. ]sensibilities, and normal human behavior.

PA: In the U.S., as well as in some other countries, many dental professionals are outsourcing dental laboratory work to offshore operations in China, India, etc.

A lot of lab owners have had to close their businesses because of this.What role do you think this situation will play in the future of our profession!

WG: This is a disaster. I am against outsourcing business be cause we should protect the profession and the marketplace in our own countries. This is a

foundation of social responsibility. Patients also have the right to know if this outsourcing is being done. Doctors should be proud to be "elite" in their profession and provide the best possible treatment and dental restorations through sources and talent available to support their own countries' economy. We should protect what economically, intellectually, and spiritually belongs to our culture.

PA: Some dentists actually do not know that the laboratory they send their work to is then sending that work to China, for example.

WG: Then that is even worse. I am not against the Chinese or other cultures to which work is outsourced, please don't misunderstand me, it is just that you

have to care about your people and your social system.

PA: It is about responsibility. I think that's the biggest word of the future.

WG: I call it social responsibility. It's like paying taxes-we have to pay them because. otherwise we wouldn't have good streets, good schools, etc. It's the same

thing.

PA: I know you do a lot of porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations. Have you seen the international increase in the price of gold impact dentistry? Do you think that

really changes the landscape of dentistry?

WG: It hasn't affected my work, personally, I am very careful with my superstructure design, but I still use high-quality  gold. I will not put steel or garbage

underneath. But we can use chrome cobalt, which is a fine material. Perhaps 40 years ago, maybe more, they used a lot of chrome cobalt in the university here in Switzerland. But because we did not have good ceramics for this material you could see the gray of the cobalt underneath. But today, with our new materials, the color does not bleed through.

We have a wonderful profession; many of us truly love it and feel as though it is a gift rather than a job because it does not feel like work.

PA: Interesting Which areas of dentistry excite you?

WG: It is always good to see beautiful work from talented people. But, to be honest, I have noticed a trend where we often see beautiful restorations in

publications with perfect tissue and ceramic, but we don't always see this same success in the mouth. To get back to your previous question...one thing I would like to discuss is zirconium. There are so many articles and symposia about this material, and now it is getting a bad reputation. I believe that zirconium is a good thing, but case selection is the key, you must have the right patient and the right tooth structure. You must also select the correct zirconium block to use. When it goes to the milling center things can go wrong with the way it is infiltrated here and you won't know that has happened when you get it back. A lot can also go wrong in the baking process.

Internal structure must be created just as in a natural tooth. Light transmission allows us to see the segmental  buildup and internal characterization of the ceramic restoration.

 PA: Yes, the greatest achievement-one thing that really changed, and then everything else happened because of that.

WG: I really don't know how to answer that. I can tell you that I feel really good because sometimes, restorations are so easy for me to do. This also helps me to

help other people; that is what makes me happy. My achievement, I think, is to just keep growing. When one thing is done, another takes its place. When something comes to me intuitively it makes me happy. Maybe it will never happen again, or maybe it will happen many more times. Maybe it will tomorrow or maybe tonight, but I really don't think about me.

PA: In his book The Greatest Secret in the World, Og Mandino says, "I will always announce my goals to the world, yet never will I proclaim

my accomplishments. Let the world, instead, approach me with the praise, and may I have the wisdom to receive it in humility." That actually describes you. People always ask me about you and wonder what is your secret to success-can you answer hat?

WG: I have no "secret"-my success is a result of all my experiences. I am very honest; I don't keep lies in my mind that I always have to remember. That makes

it very easy to live in the moment.

PA: Well, you definitely paved the way for the rest of us. I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me and for so many others, either directly or

indirectly. You have inspired the entire industry. new; you always try and grow yourself. We are so looking forward directly. You have inspired the entire industry.

We are so looking forward to having you as one of the keynote speakers at the Academy's Annual Scientific Session in Boston next year. You are going

to give a presentation with Dr. Giuseppe Allais, who is an outstanding clinician, in which you will share how you work together.

You are an expert in many fields-the word "expert" comes from the Latin word experiri and means one who helps you try something new. Experts help to shorten the learning curve for those they guide. You do all of those things and you are always looking for something

WG: I am fortunate that things just come to me. Things will come to you; you don't have to look for them. If you look for them, maybe you won't find them

and then you will be disappointed. 

PA: You are not just a coach, but are really a guru to many, taking us from darkness into the light. Thank you so much for your time and the wisdom you have

passed on to us.

WG: It has been my great pleasure. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts. jCD

I have no "secret"-my success is

a result of all my experiences.