Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring properties of oral soft tissues. An oral monitoring head comprises at least one sensing element such as a probe which can be provided among cleaning bristles. A tapping motion is imparted to the at least one sensing element and the force or strain or motion associated with the at least one sensing element is monitored to produce a force or strain or motion signal. From this signal, viscoelastic material properties for the material in contact with the at least one sensing element are derived. In one example, a gum health indication can be provided.

Abstract: A means for deriving a metric of tooth mobility based on force or motion data acquired from a sensor integrated in an oral care device and acquired during an oral cleaning session. By processing a waveform of the sensing signal to detect one or more signal characteristics, and further acquiring one or more characteristics of the tooth-device mechanical engagement, a standardized metric of tooth mobility can be derived.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient suffering from periodontitis has mild periodontitis or advanced periodontitis. The method is based on the insight to determine a selection of three biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from periodontitis, the concentrations are measured of the proteins Interleukin-1? (IL-1?), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and at least one of the proteins: Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3). Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with advanced periodontitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of advanced periodontitis or of mild periodontitis in said patient.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A processing arrangement and method for providing guidance in relation to permanent tooth emergence of an infant. Embodiments propose to process an obtained indicator of tooth mobility of a primary (infant) tooth with a pre-determined algorithm or decision tool, and generate a prompt relating to possible adult tooth emergence dependent upon an outcome of the algorithm or decision tool. The prompt may be a recommendation to check for adult tooth emergence at a site of the relevant tooth. The prompt may be a prediction or estimate of a permanent tooth emergence status.

Abstract: A system and method for providing cleaning guidance to a user of a tooth cleaning device during a cleaning session. Cleaning history data, comprising at least the position(s) at which the user has cleaned first during past cleaning sessions, is received and processed to generate cleaning guidance. The cleaning guidance is provided to the user via a feedback unit.

Abstract: A system for assisting a gum disease examination provides indication of an oral area to be examined during an examination of the gums of a subject under diagnosis. Historical examination data is used in respect of a set of subjects. Using this data, a first oral area to be examined is determined, and based on the historical examination data and the measurement for any previously examined oral areas during the examination, a next oral area to be examined is also determined. In this way, a sequence of oral areas to be examined is determined by the system, with the aim of making the examination as quick as possible, by obtaining a diagnosis after as few measurements as possible (when there is a positive diagnosis to be made).

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, a kit, a use and an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient suffering from periodontitis has mild periodontitis or advanced periodontitis. The system and method are based on the insight to apply a clustering technique to a reference set of patient data, and then further discriminating the sets of bio markers to be applied. The clusters are determined on the basis of the biomarkers Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), Matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP8), and Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9). The actual classification of the patient is done on the basis of the measurement of the concentrations of either of two sets of biomarkers. For one cluster these are Interleukin-1? (IL1?), Interleukin-6 (IL6), and Collagen Telopeptide. For the other cluster, these are HGF and metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1).

Abstract: A method for performing a non-invasive periodontal examination on a subject. The method comprises obtaining a first optical image of the surface of an intra-oral area of the subject, the intra-oral area containing at least one tooth and a corresponding gum and obtaining a second image of the intra-oral area of the subject, wherein the second image contains an image of the hard tissue covered by the soft tissue. The hard tissue includes bone and teeth. The method further comprises merging the optical image and the second image into a fused image such that the tooth and part of the gum in the fused image are based on the optical image and wherein any bone in the fused image is based on the second image and estimating the periodontal distance between a soft tissue landmark and a hard tissue landmark for each tooth in the intra-oral area based on the fused image.

Abstract: A power toothbrush has a toothbrush head and a handle for driving the toothbrush head with a vibratory motion using drive parameters. The apply drive parameters are adapted based on a sensed pH level. In this way, the brushing can be adapted to the acidity levels presents, and thereby reduce the risk of damage to the teeth caused by excessively hard brushing in an acidic environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient suffering from periodontitis has mild periodontitis or advanced periodontitis. The method is based on the insight to determine a selection of three biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from periodontitis, the concentrations are measured of the proteins Interleukin-1? (IL-1?), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and at least one of the proteins: Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3). Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with advanced periodontitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of advanced periodontitis or of mild periodontitis in said patient.

Abstract: An approach for obtaining measurements of mechanical properties of a gripping performed by masticatory apparatus. A mouthpiece provides a sensing arrangement (for obtaining the measurement) and one or more mouth contacting elements for protecting, cleaning or treating teeth/gums. In this way, measurements indicative of potential abnormalities or physiological dysfunction in the masticatory apparatus can be obtained using a mouthpiece that has a secondary function of protecting, cleaning and/or treating elements of the mouth.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human subject has periodontitis. The method comprises detecting, in a sample of saliva from said subject, the concentrations of the proteins Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8). Based on the concentrations determined, and adding age, and possibly other demographic markers such as sex and/or BMI, a testing value reflecting the joint concentrations is determined for said proteins, in combination with one or more demographic markers. The testing value is compared with a threshold value. The threshold reflects in the same manner the joint concentrations and the age, and possibly other demographic markers, as associated with periodontitis and may be seen as an upper limit of testing values as seen in a population of subjects without periodontitis. Thereby a testing value at or above the threshold value is indicative for periodontitis in said subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing the presence of gingivitis in a human subject. The method is based on the insight to determine a selection of three biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a saliva sample of the subject the concentrations are measured of the proteins Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Interleukin-1? (IL-1?), and at least one of C reactive protein (CRP) and Haemoglobin. Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with the absence of gingivitis or periodontitis. The comparison allows to assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of gingivitis in said subject. Thereby, typically, a testing value reflecting a joint concentration above the joint concentration reflected by the threshold, is indicative of the presence of gingivitis.

Abstract: A system for oral irrigation comprises a fluid delivery tube (102) with a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is for receiving oral irrigation fluids. A nozzle (104) is placed at the distal end of the fluid delivery tube. The system further comprises an interdental sensor (2002) for detecting whether the nozzle is in an interdental space, and a motion sensor (2004) for measuring the displacement of the nozzle. A processor is configured to determine whether the nozzle (104) is moving along the occlusal surface of a tooth based on the displacement of the nozzle being larger than a critical distance, wherein the critical distance is indicative of the length of a tooth, and the interdental sensor (2002) not detecting an interdental space during the displacement of the nozzle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human subject has periodontitis. The method comprises detecting, in a sample of saliva from said subject, the concentrations of the proteins Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8). Based on the concentrations determined, and adding age, and possibly other demographic markers such as sex and/or BMI, a testing value reflecting the joint concentrations is determined for said proteins, in combination with one or more demographic markers. The testing value is compared with a threshold value. The threshold reflects in the same manner the joint concentrations and the age, and possibly other demographic markers, as associated with periodontitis and may be seen as an upper limit of testing values as seen in a population of subjects without periodontitis. Thereby a testing value at or above the threshold value is indicative for periodontitis in said subject.

Abstract: An oral care device (8) adapted to generate an RF field for performing an oral cleaning function. The device includes a cleaning unit (10) for receipt in the mouth which includes a conductor arrangement (18, 19) which is driven with a drive signal to generate an RF field which cleans surfaces in the mouth. Means is further provided for sensing an electrical or electromagnetic signal arising from interaction of the RF energy with bodies in the mouth, for performing a sensing function with the same RF system components used for generating the RF field for cleaning or treatment.

Abstract: In the context of dental care, a system (100) is provided which comprises i) an appliance (110) that is configured to operate a functional unit, ii) a data providing arrangement (120) that is configured to include operation data in the form of respective combinations of a mouth area and an effective time duration of a dental care action for the area concerned, wherein the effective time durations of the respective combinations add up to a total operation time of a dental care procedure and have respective values according to a proportional division of the total operation time on the basis of a distribution of the extent to which dental care is needed at the areas of the respective combinations, and iii) a controller (130) that is configured to communicate with the data providing arrangement (120) and to control operation of the appliance (110) in accordance with the operation data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient suffering from periodontitis has mild periodontitis or advanced periodontitis. The method is based on the insight to determine a selection of three bio marker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from periodontitis, the concentrations are measured of the proteins Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and at least two of Haemoglobin-beta (Hb-beta), Haemoglobin-delta (Hb-delta), S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) and S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9). Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with advanced periodontitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of advanced periodontitis or of mild periodontitis in said patient.

Abstract: A system for detecting halitosis is disclosed that comprises a gas sensor (116) for generating a sensor signal signalling the detection of compounds indicative of halitosis exhaled through an oral cavity; an image sensor (114) for capturing an image (500, 510) of a dental condition and/or tongue condition in said oral cavity; and a processor (110) communicatively coupled to the gas sensor and the image sensor and adapted to process the sensor signal and the image in order to determine if in case of the sensor signal signalling the presence of a compound indicative of halitosis, said halitosis originates from said oral cavity by determining the dental condition and/or tongue condition in said image. A method for detecting halitosis and a computer program product implementing the method are also disclosed.