Gift Selection is Changing! Show your appreciation with sustainable products for Respect-for-Senior-Citizens Day Wooden denture cleaning cases made in Hokkaido and locally produced for local consumption are now on sale!

More and more people are choosing earth- and people-friendly items when selecting gifts, and products with sustainable elements are becoming increasingly popular. Omamori Dentures Inc. (Head office: Sapporo, Hokkaido; Representative Director: Akira Ikeda) launched a denture cleaning case on August 24, 2023, which is a rare wooden product. This sustainable product is locally produced for local consumption using local Hokkaido haun wood, and was developed in collaboration with a local creator.

Wooden denture cleaning case "Ikeru Ikeru" made from Hokkaido's haun wood.

Sustainable products to express our gratitude

September 18 is Respect-for-Senior-Citizens Day. With the growing awareness of environmental issues and the SDGs, gift selection is also changing. More and more people are choosing items that are friendly to the earth and people as gifts. Products that incorporate sustainable elements as added value are popular, and even major department stores have set up fairs and special corners.

Wooden denture cases, which were not available until now, are practical and can be used with cleaning solution.

On August 24, Omamori Dentures, a Sapporo-based dental laboratory operator, began selling a wooden denture cleaning case, "Ireka Ire," which is rare in the wooden market. The product is made of local Hokkaido hai (hail) wood, which is locally produced for local consumption and contributes to energy and environmental issues. The hail tree is known for its ability to produce high-quality charcoal, which is sometimes used in deodorizing and antibacterial products. It is resistant to water, and its large, wavy grain is unique and is also used for musical instruments. The wood can be personalized with a message or name, and reservations are being made for Respect-for-Senior-Citizens Day as a gift to convey one's feelings.

Dentures can be soaked in the cleaning solution overnight, which helps maintain their health.

The size is about 9 cm in diameter and 9.5 cm in height, which is about the size of a large mug. The flat lid extends from the top to the top for easy grasping by hand. The body tapers slightly toward the bottom, creating a clean design that is carefully handmade one by one. Even if you place it on the washstand, you would never think that it contains dentures. The warmth of the wood gives it a stylish look. It is very popular. To bring out the characteristic grain and gentle texture of the wood, it is not colored, but rather coated with three coats of colorless urethane and glass paint to make it waterproof. A glass beaker is placed inside the body, allowing dentures to be soaked in the cleaning solution overnight. The glass beaker can be removed and washed for clean use.

Adds warmth to an otherwise inorganic washstand

Natural wood from Hokkaido creates a peaceful and stylish space.

After about a year of development with a product designer and woodworking creator who also live in Hokkaido, the wooden denture cleaning case was completed. The biggest challenge in making the case out of wood was the denture cleaning solution. The ingredients were so strong that even with a waterproof finish, the finish would soon peel off, so we decided to combine it with a glass beaker. We ordered a number of glass beakers to find a diameter that would accommodate the dentures, a height that would not spill with the slightest jolt, and a height that would allow for easy removal of the dentures. After using a 3D printer to create several prototypes of cylindrical shapes, they narrowed the candidates down to four, and finally created a prototype from a 5-year old dried haku tree to check the atmosphere.

From left to right: Ms. Masuda, the designer; Mr. Ikeda, the representative of Amulet Dentures; and Mr. Yamaguchi of Kitokai.

The representative's voice: "Many people have said that denture cases have been tasteless for a long time. A year ago, when we were losing touch with people due to the Corona disaster, I teamed up with local members to see if we could create an SDGs product that could be used for a long time while letting people feel the breath of nature. We chose hiragana for the product name because we wanted it to be familiar and easy to read for everyone." In the future, the team plans to consider developing products in sizes and shapes that can be easily carried around.

Ireka Ire = https://omamoriireba.com/

Outline of the product

Material: Hokkaido hazel wood for the body and glass for the beaker

Size: Main body: 9 cm in diameter and 9.5 cm in height; beaker: 8 cm in diameter × 8 cm in height; weight: 268 g

Type of coating ：Urethane paint (base), glass paint (finish)※Both conform to the Food Sanitation Law

Price ： 6,710 yen (including tax), free of charge for personalization and message; wrapping and shipping costs are not included

How to purchase: Sold in the Comfort Denture Clinic. Orders can also be placed by phone.

Contact : 011-596-8814 (weekdays 9:00-18:00)

Co-developer : Comfort Denture Clinic,

　　　　　　　Kitokai (woodwork creator), Satoshi Masuda (designer)

Sales: Dental clinics and dental laboratories 011-596-8814 (weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00)

Company Profile

Company name: Omamori Dentures Co.

Representative Director: Akira Ikeda

Business : Denture banking, denture manufacturing, denture cleaning, antibacterial treatment

Location ： Tomii Building No.37 5F, 3-12-2 Minami 2-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0062, Japan

Telephone number : 011-596-8814 (Office hours: 9:00-18:00 weekdays)

Business hours : Weekdays 9:00-18:00 (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)

URL : https://omamoriireba.com/