A method for providing a beneficial effect to an oral cavity of a mammal, the method including contacting a plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity with a liquid effective for providing the beneficial effect to the oral cavity and providing reciprocation of the liquid over the plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity under conditions effective to provide the beneficial effect.

A dental apparatus is disclosed. The dental apparatus can comprise a pressure wave generator to be disposed at a treatment region of a tooth. The pressure wave generator can include an opening to deliver a flowable filling material to the treatment region. The apparatus can include a reservoir for supplying the filling material to the pressure wave generator. The pressure wave generator can be configured to generate pressure waves through the treatment region to cause the filling material to substantially fill the treatment region.

An oral care system includes a fluid reservoir, a check intake valve, and a pump configured to cause fluid to be provided from fluid reservoir to an oral insert of the oral care system via the check intake valve. The fluid reservoir includes one or more fluid flow disrupters. The check intake valve is located at an offset from a center of the fluid reservoir.

An oral care system includes a fluid reservoir, a check intake valve, and a pump configured to cause fluid to be provided from fluid reservoir to an oral insert of the oral care system via the check intake valve. The fluid reservoir includes one or more fluid flow disrupters. The check intake valve is located at an offset from a center of the fluid reservoir.

An oral irrigator has a base unit housing a motor and a pump, a removable reservoir defining a reservoir cavity configured to mechanically couple to a top surface of the base unit and fluidly couple the reservoir cavity to the pump, and a belt drive assembly connecting the motor to the pump. The belt drive assembly includes a drive pulley connected to an output shaft of the motor, a driven pulley spaced apart from the drive pulley and mechanically connected to a piston that drives the pump, and a continuous belt connecting the drive pulley to the driven pulley. A handle for the oral irrigator may include a housing defining a slot formed in an outer wall of the housing.

An oral irrigator has a base unit housing a motor and a pump, a removable reservoir defining a reservoir cavity configured to mechanically couple to a top surface of the base unit and fluidly couple the reservoir cavity to the pump, and a belt drive assembly connecting the motor to the pump. The belt drive assembly includes a drive pulley connected to an output shaft of the motor, a driven pulley spaced apart from the drive pulley and mechanically connected to a piston that drives the pump, and a continuous belt connecting the drive pulley to the driven pulley. A handle for the oral irrigator may include a housing defining a slot formed in an outer wall of the housing.

A system is provided for monitoring gum recession. A nozzle is for application to the teeth and gums and a fluid is pumped to a nozzle opening. A sensor is provided for sensing a pressure or flow rate so that a pressure or flow rate profile is derived as the nozzle is moved between a tooth surface and a gum surface. From characteristics of the pressure or flow rate profile at the transition between the tooth surface and the gum surface, the presence of gum recession can be detected.

A system is provided for monitoring gum recession. A nozzle is for application to the teeth and gums and a fluid is pumped to a nozzle opening. A sensor is provided for sensing a pressure or flow rate so that a pressure or flow rate profile is derived as the nozzle is moved between a tooth surface and a gum surface. From characteristics of the pressure or flow rate profile at the transition between the tooth surface and the gum surface, the presence of gum recession can be detected.

A dental instrument for use with a dental handpiece cleans and disinfects tooth root canals. The instrument includes a shaft and connector for releasable attachment to the handpiece, the shaft including at least a tip end, a distal portion approximate to the connector, and at least two radial protrusions extending along length of the shaft with a longitudinal groove extending between the at least two radial protrusions.

A dental instrument for use with a dental handpiece cleans and disinfects tooth root canals. The instrument includes a shaft and connector for releasable attachment to the handpiece, the shaft including at least a tip end, a distal portion approximate to the connector, and at least two radial protrusions extending along length of the shaft with a longitudinal groove extending between the at least two radial protrusions.