Morning, evening and ideally after every mealtime: dental hygiene is important! The toothbrush needed for this is an everyday object but on close examination it’s long been a high-tech product, as no two people are alike. So too for the human set of teeth.
In order to satisfy this challenge we offer you our broad range of solutions for individual dental hygiene.In this regard we place particular emphasis on the following areas:
- Effectiveness
- Sensitivity
- Functionality
- Conceptuality
By effectiveness we mean filaments whose cleansing power is significantly greater than that of conventional dental care filaments. We achieve this, amongst other things, through the use of different filament profiles as well as the use of co-extrusion. By means of this technology we are able to combine various material characteristics to attain maximum effectiveness for your toothbrush design in terms of cleaning power.
The effectiveness of our filaments in terms of possible “claims” is furnished primarily by medical studies carried out by universities renowned in the field of oral and facial medicine.
Co-extrusion likewise offers us many possibilities in the area of sensitivity. Dental hygiene after surgical intervention or with periodontitis demands appropriately gentle applications. We are happy to support you in this with our diverse range of filaments with low stiffness or softer surface.
The attribute functionality is provided by our filaments, for example, through antibacterial finishes which contribute to the inhibition of bacterial growth on the filament surface or through the release of active substances such as sodium fluoride (NaF) as used in toothpaste, amongst other things.
Our purely conceptual ideas regarding possible additives such as charcoal, white pearl, black pearl etc. can likewise offer your application a potential unique selling point (USP).
Years of development work is the basis of our current portfolio which covers more than 25 different product groups in a unique variety of colors. You can find detailed information on these product groups in the “Innovation” section. Besides all the innovations, one shouldn’t however ignore the area of original dental filaments in which we have been represented for more than 30 years with our Medex® S (PA 6.12) and Dentex® S (PBT) brands.
To make the workability of our products as simple as possible for you, we also offer varied and innovative packaging solutions. Your questions and wishes are important to us! We are pleased to advise on all technical issues and look forward to collaborating with you.
New product – Medex® S PearlTech®
Following the successful implementation of PearlTech® technology in the field of high-quality monofilaments, the technology has now also been transferred to the field of personal care filaments.
In the course of further developing the Medex® S filament, which has been established for many years, the filament modification from the monofilament sector was successfully transferred. Special particles are added to the polymer melt and ensure a permanent modification of the polymer.
The thermoplastic polymer contains polysiloxane particles, whereby the particle size can range from 20 nm to 200 µm. The filaments demonstrate optimum performance when the particles are spherical and have a diameter ranging from 0.2 to 50 µm.
Linear or cross-linked polysiloxanes are used as siloxanes.
Depending on the field of application, different dosages of particles can be used, typically between 0.01 and 10%.
As the particles protrude slightly from the monofilament surface, they also ensure a permanent modification of the surface.
The advantages of functionalisation include improved abrasion resistance1, good anti-dirt properties and a permanent effect throughout the entire service life of the brush, which is a clear advantage over coatings on the filament surface.
The additives are non-toxic, fluorine-free and approved in accordance with FDA and EU 10/2011, which means they can be used without any problems in filaments for personal care or hygiene applications.
In addition to PA 6.12 (Medex® S), other polyamides such as PA 6, PA 66, PA 4.10, PA 6.10, PA 10.10, PA 11, corresponding copolymers (PA 6 / 66) or thermoplastic polyamides can also be used as raw materials for the polymer matrix.
Other matrix materials include polyester, in particular PBT, PET, corresponding copolymers and thermoplastic elastomers, polyolefins with the derivatives already mentioned above, and, of course, mixtures of two or more polymers.
This made it possible to transfer the PERLON® patent EP2933361B1 to the field of personal care filaments and to use the filaments in toothbrushes, but also cosmetic brushes, such as mascara, is possible and offers advantages here too – whether in conventional punched or twisted brushes, but also in brushes manufactured using anchorless processes, which can be fitted with filaments featuring PearlTech® technology.
1 Tested on monofilaments for PMC applications
THOMAS OLMA
Global Head of Business Segment PC