Guide To Dental Packaging Design

Whether you need to pack consumer goods, such as toothbrushes and dental floss, orthodontic appliances, or medical equipment, dental product packaging must serve several functions. Dental packaging designs must consider physical protection, hygiene, and applicable industry standards, such as ISO 11607 for packaging terminally sterilized medical devices and FDA regulations for medical packaging. 

Make informed choices about proper packaging practices for dental products with the information in this comprehensive guide. 

Considerations for Effective Dental Packaging Design

When designing dental product packaging, you must consider certain factors, such as product size, branding, and convenience. For example, if you need to pack multiple small products in the same case, you might want to use dividers or product trays as opposed to an undivided container that would work well for larger items. 

Packaging should also allow you to place product and branding information. This might include your business logo and name, product number and name, and any required safety or handling information. User convenience is also a consideration. You do not want packaging that makes it difficult for the end user to access your products. That can create frustration and possibly lead to them using another supplier. 

Safety

Because dental products must meet safety regulations, your packaging products should follow all required safety protocols. These can dictate the types of material you use, sealing methods, and labeling. 

As a general rule, dental packaging designs should be hygienic. It must provide a physical barrier between products and the environment. Materials should be designed to exclude things such as moisture, light, air, and particulate contaminants. Professional tools and products require sterilization before packaging. Tamper-proof seals and other types of safety measures help maintain that condition and alert dental providers of any packaging flaws or failures. 

Types of Products

Packaging designs should consider the different types of products to be contained. For example, professional dental tools and supplies require a higher grade of sealing and sterility than many types of consumer goods. Additionally, packaging for direct-to-consumer items should include convenience features, such as portability and easily opened lids. 

Any packaging must be durable enough to withstand the types of products it contains. This can include paper sleeves for dental tools, flexible toothpaste containers that resist splitting under pressure, and plastic packaging trays for shipping. 

Packaging Purpose

The intended use of packaging products impacts overall design features such as material selection, container size, and finishes. For example, packaging for individual products might need space for branding and information labels, while containers for shipping multiple products might focus more on durability and physical protection. 

Sustainability

The growing concerns about sustainability have led to many manufacturers looking for sustainable packaging designs. Environmentally friendly packaging is increasingly important for companies looking to meet sustainability goals. 

Minimalist design is one of the ways manufacturers are embracing packaging sustainability, as it helps reduce material usage and waste. Eco-conscious dental packaging design also uses sustainably sourced materials that are easily recycled by end users. 

Dental Packaging Functions

Dental product packaging can serve multiple purposes. It may be for shipping, organization, to maintain sterility, or for direct product containment. Its precise use dictates what functions it must serve. However, there are some general guidelines that all dental packaging designs should follow.  

Physical Protection

Proper packaging provides physical protection, including for the product itself, such as in a toothpaste tube, or for multiple individually packaged items, such as flossers, being shipped. Physical protection extends to:

• Excluding contamination from moisture and dust
• Limiting light exposure for sensitive medical formulations
• Preserving sterility and hygienic conditions for dental tools and equipment
• Serving as a buffer from jostling and rough handling during storage and transit

Any dental packaging design should take the role of protection seriously. This includes choosing materials that are heavy enough to provide cushioning and using sizes that limit movement.  

Inventory Management

Some packaging serves to facilitate product inventory in warehouses, storage rooms, and dental offices. This type of packaging should have individual compartments that make it easy to locate, sort, and count different products. Our plastic dental trays feature square, round, or rectangular pockets in varying sizes to accommodate a wide range of dental supplies and products. 

Organization

Whether you need to ship or store dental implants, tool attachments, or customer samples, your dental packaging design should allow you to keep items neat and organized. Our tray pockets can accommodate individual items in an easy-to-view format. 

Types of Dental Packaging

Types of dental packaging vary for different applications. You may need rigid packaging for storage, a thin pouch for sterile tools, or large cardboard boxes for shipping. Some of the most common types of dental packaging include:

• Carriers: Dental carriers hold appliances such as braces, crowns, bridges, and impressions or models. They are for both dental office and consumer use. 
• Corrugated boxes: Manufacturers ship most types of dental tools and products in cardboard boxes. Corrugated cardboard is also good for storage of non-sterile products. 
• Pouches: Paper and plastic peel-open pouches keep loose instruments neat and clean once they are sterilized. 
• Trays: Rigid trays are excellent for organizing tools and small supplies. 
• Wrap: Sterilized wrapping materials such as SMS wrap preserve hygienic conditions for dental instruments. 

No matter what dental packaging design you choose, you want to ensure it uses suitable materials. 

Dental Packaging Materials

Your packaging should use materials that meet the protection and organizational needs of each product. Some popular choices for dental packaging include: 

• Aluminum: Incredibly sturdy and rigid, aluminum is a good choice for dental and medical equipment packaging. 

• Paper: Paper is a breathable and cost-effective solution for dental pouches. 

• Plastic: Several types of plastic, including high-impact polystyrene, work well to provide sturdy and secure packaging. 

• Tyvek: With its durability, tear resistance, and ability to withstand sterilization, Tyvek is a natural choice for packaging many types of medical and dental devices. 

• Wraps: Both CSR and SMS fabric wraps provide breathable sterile barriers for sealing dental instrument packaging.  

When designing dental packaging, you should remember that materials must be suitable for any applicable sterilization processes. Some types cannot handle the high heat or steam used, in which case you might consider rigid plastics or pre-sterilized wraps.

Shop Trays Designed for Dental Packaging

Ready-Made Plastic Trays has a large selection of stock trays suitable for dental products. We can also help you create trays that fit your unique dental packaging design requirements. Contact us to request a free sample.