A toothbrush system configured to be coupled to an external suction source. The toothbrush system includes a shaft with a main body with a first end and a second end, and a bristle array and a suction port arranged at the second end. The bristle array and the suction port both extend away from the shaft so that an opening of the suction port is proximal to a distal end of the bristle array. The shaft also includes a stem arranged at the first end. The stem includes a passageway that extends through the main body to provide a fluid connection to the suction port, and is configured to be coupled to the external suction source. Also, the handle is removably coupled to the shaft and includes a drive system operably coupled to the bristle array to actuate motion of the bristle array.

An apparatus for treatment of teeth, including one or more dental treatment applicators having at least two walls and a floor, the walls and floor defining a well configured to accommodate at least one human dental arcade and an active agent. Furthermore, one or more energy-applying elements such as electrodes or light sources are located on at least one of the walls.

An apparatus for treatment of teeth, including one or more dental treatment applicators having at least two walls and a floor, the walls and floor defining a well configured to accommodate at least one human dental arcade and an active agent. Furthermore, one or more energy-applying elements such as electrodes or light sources are located on at least one of the walls.

An electrical discharge irrigation device and method is described. An electrical discharge irrigation device includes a power source, a circuit coupled to the power source, and an output tip coupled to the circuit. The output tip includes a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between them, an electrode located in an interior space of the output tip configured to receive an electrical charge from the circuit and to release an electric discharge, and a ground return including an inner surface of the output tip, wherein a space between the electrode and the ground return comprises a conductive medium, the conductive medium being in contact with the electrode and the ground return to produce the electric discharge.

An electrical discharge irrigation device and method is described. An electrical discharge irrigation device includes a power source, a circuit coupled to the power source, and an output tip coupled to the circuit. The output tip includes a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between them, an electrode located in an interior space of the output tip configured to receive an electrical charge from the circuit and to release an electric discharge, and a ground return including an inner surface of the output tip, wherein a space between the electrode and the ground return comprises a conductive medium, the conductive medium being in contact with the electrode and the ground return to produce the electric discharge.

An electrical discharge irrigation includes a power source to produce a first voltage, a circuit coupled to the power source to convert the first voltage to a second voltage, a discharge capacitor to receive the second voltage from the circuit, a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier coupled to the discharge capacitor to receive the second voltage, and an output tip. This tip is coupled to a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier and includes a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between them, an electrode located in an interior space of the tip to receive an electrical charge from the a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier and to release an electric discharge, and a ground return. The ground return is an outside surface of the tip. A space between the electrode and the ground return holds a conductive medium in contact with the electrode and the ground return.

An electrical discharge irrigation includes a power source to produce a first voltage, a circuit coupled to the power source to convert the first voltage to a second voltage, a discharge capacitor to receive the second voltage from the circuit, a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier coupled to the discharge capacitor to receive the second voltage, and an output tip. This tip is coupled to a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier and includes a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between them, an electrode located in an interior space of the tip to receive an electrical charge from the a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier and to release an electric discharge, and a ground return. The ground return is an outside surface of the tip. A space between the electrode and the ground return holds a conductive medium in contact with the electrode and the ground return.

The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus for monitoring bone characteristics for various conditions such as osteoporosis and/or periodontitis. In various embodiments, a dental hygiene appliance (100) may include: a handle (102) adapted to be held by a user; a tool (106) secured to the handle to perform a dental hygiene-related task; emitter(s) (114A, 116, 360A) mounted on the dental hygiene appliance to emit wave(s) (252, 362) towards a mandible (250, 350) of the user; sensor(s) (114B, 116, 360B) mounted on the dental hygiene appliance to detect wave(s) (254, 364) propagating away from the mandible, wherein the detected wave(s) originate from or are caused by the emitted wave(s); and a controller (108) communicatively coupled with the emitter(s) and the sensor(s).The controller may: receive, from the sensor(s), signal(s) indicative of the detected waves; and determine, based on the signal(s), bone characteristic(s) of the user.

A pump assembly for a dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid chamber, a piston, and a drive. Magnets, connected respectively to the piston and the drive, enable the drive to couple to the piston and move it within the fluid chamber to draw fluid into the fluid chamber. A stop prevents the piston from being pulled beyond a stop position so that through continued actuation of the drive the magnets separate to allow a spring to push the piston away from the stop position to urge a burst of fluid from the fluid chamber.

A pump assembly for a dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid chamber, a piston, and a drive. Magnets, connected respectively to the piston and the drive, enable the drive to couple to the piston and move it within the fluid chamber to draw fluid into the fluid chamber. A stop prevents the piston from being pulled beyond a stop position so that through continued actuation of the drive the magnets separate to allow a spring to push the piston away from the stop position to urge a burst of fluid from the fluid chamber.