An oral care process which includes initiating a first operational sequence which includes generating an electric potential between a first sacrificial electrode and a second sacrificial electrode, the electric potential in the first operational sequence beginning with one of a first polarity and a second polarity, stopping the first operational sequence, and commencing a second operational sequence which includes generating the electric potential between the first sacrificial electrode and the second sacrificial electrode. The electric potential in the second operational sequence may begin with the other of the first polarity and the second polarity. The electric potential may be alternated between the first polarity and the second polarity at predetermined intervals during at least one of the first operational sequence and the second operational sequence.

A deburr tool and processes to smooth spires on dentures after an adjustment by the dentist for a proper fit are presented. The deburr tool may have a deburr element comprised of soapstone or chalk, and the deburr element may have a variety of geometric shapes. For example, it may be spherically shaped, parabolic shaped, triangular shaped, cylindrical shaped with and an outer face between a one side and an other side, or rectangular shaped. Appling the one or more outer faces, surfaces, or edges of soapstone to the spires and using a rotary or reciprocating motion, the spires may be smoothed to provide a comfortable fit. The deburr element may have a holding element with a distal end and an other end connected to the deburr element and configured to use in an individuals hand or may be configured to insert in a rotary or reciprocating machine.

A deburr tool and processes to smooth spires on dentures after an adjustment by the dentist for a proper fit are presented. The deburr tool may have a deburr element comprised of soapstone or chalk, and the deburr element may have a variety of geometric shapes. For example, it may be spherically shaped, parabolic shaped, triangular shaped, cylindrical shaped with and an outer face between a one side and an other side, or rectangular shaped. Appling the one or more outer faces, surfaces, or edges of soapstone to the spires and using a rotary or reciprocating motion, the spires may be smoothed to provide a comfortable fit. The deburr element may have a holding element with a distal end and an other end connected to the deburr element and configured to use in an individuals hand or may be configured to insert in a rotary or reciprocating machine.

An oral care implement including a handle and a replacement head that is detachably coupled to the handle. The oral care implement may include a handle having a longitudinal axis that includes a gripping portion and a stem extending from the gripping portion. The gripping portion may have a shoulder that circumferentially surrounds the stem and an annular rib protruding from the shoulder. The replacement head may have a sleeve portion terminating in a proximal edge that is formed from a resilient material. The replacement head may be detachably coupled to the handle so that the annular rib of the shoulder and the proximal edge of the sleeve portion that is formed of elastomeric material are in contact with one another.

A brush head (112, 212, 312, 412) for attachment to a shaft (118, 218, 318, 418) of an oral care device (400), the brush head (112, 212, 312, 412) comprising: a neck (114, 214, 314) having a working head (116, 216, 316, 416), the neck being configured to transmit oscillations from the shaft to the working head; and a spring (102, 202, 302) captive within the neck, wherein upon insertion of the shaft into the assembled brush head, the spring provides a retention force for retaining the brush head on the shaft, characterised in that the spring is in direct mechanical contact with the neck and the shaft.

A personal care cleaning device (10) including a housing (12), a resonant drive actuator (20), which includes a rotor (24) having a first moment of inertia (J.sub.r) and a stator (22) having a second moment of inertia (J.sub.s); a first plurality of leaf spring elements (60) having a first spring constant (k.sub.rh), each leaf spring element of the first plurality of leaf spring elements (60) being connected the housing (12) and to the rotor (24) such that each leaf spring element of the first plurality of leaf springs elements (60) extends radially from the rotor (24) to the housing (12), each leaf spring element of the second plurality of leaf spring elements (62) being connected to the housing (12) and engaging with the stator (22), wherein the ratio of the first (k.sub.rh) and second (k.sub.sh) spring constants is sufficiently similar to the ratio of the first (J.sub.r) and second moments (J.sub.s) of inertia such that there is substantially no resulting torque transmitted to the housing (12) during operation.

An added inertia resonant system (12) for a power toothbrush (10) comprises a drive shaft (16), a drive system (22), and at least one inertial weight member (24). The drive shaft (16) has a principal axis (26) that defines a center of rotation. The drive system (22) imparts a reciprocating motion to the drive shaft (16) about the principal axis (26). The at least one inertial weight member (24) couples to the drive shaft (16) and comprises a planar material having a complex shape balanced along an x-, y- and z-axis to enable the drive system (22) to achieve low power, high amplitude motion of the drive shaft (16) when placed under user loading. A method for providing added inertia in a resonant system for a power toothbrush is also disclosed.

An added inertia resonant system (12) for a power toothbrush (10) comprises a drive shaft (16), a drive system (22), and at least one inertial weight member (24). The drive shaft (16) has a principal axis (26) that defines a center of rotation. The drive system (22) imparts a reciprocating motion to the drive shaft (16) about the principal axis (26). The at least one inertial weight member (24) couples to the drive shaft (16) and comprises a planar material having a complex shape balanced along an x-, y- and z-axis to enable the drive system (22) to achieve low power, high amplitude motion of the drive shaft (16) when placed under user loading. A method for providing added inertia in a resonant system for a power toothbrush is also disclosed.

The invention relates to a dental tool having a shank region, which is formed for coupling to a dental handpiece, and also having a work region, which is connected to the shank region. In this case, the shank region of the dental tool is formed so that there is the possibility of latchable insertion and removal without actuation. In particular, at least the shank region can consist of plastics material. As a result, inter alia facilitated handling of the tool and inexpensive production of the tool are rendered possible.

The invention relates to a dental tool having a shank region, which is formed for coupling to a dental handpiece, and also having a work region, which is connected to the shank region. In this case, the shank region of the dental tool is formed so that there is the possibility of latchable insertion and removal without actuation. In particular, at least the shank region can consist of plastics material. As a result, inter alia facilitated handling of the tool and inexpensive production of the tool are rendered possible.