Abstract: A physiological sensor includes a sensing element to detect physiological information from a patient's skin, a substrate configured to hold the sensing element on the patient's skin, and at least two contact probes on the substrate. The contact probes are positioned on the substrate such that galvanically contact the patient's skin when the substrate is fully attached against the patient's skin. A controller is configured to measure impedance between the at least two contact probes and determine whether the substrate has lifted from the patient's skin based on the impedance.

Abstract: A non-invasive dental or surgical monitoring system is disclosed. The monitoring system is comprised generally of dental or surgical equipment to be monitored, a main sensor unit, a set of sensors. The main sensor unit is in communication with various sensors removably attached to the equipment. The sensors monitor environment conditions related to the equipment rather than directly monitoring the equipment. The collected data is sent to the main sensor unit and can be accessed, or wirelessly transmitted by signal to a device or devices at another location. As collected data aggregates, a data profile can be created, machine learning can be used to discover patterns, and predictive analysis can be incorporated to help software make predictions of, or spot in real time, equipment problems based on deviations from the profile.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a tissue thickness lockout and a firing speed control system is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus assisting in dental procedure, comprising: a body adapted to be received with an oral cavity; an anchoring means for securing the body within the oral cavity such that it at least partially surrounds one or more teeth; a dental device located within the body and adapted to move in a plurality of planes relative to the one or more teeth; and a controller for controlling the dental device to move into a suitable position relative to the one or more teeth and once located in position carry out work on or about the one or more teeth.

Abstract: A medical system including a body; a first electrode; a second electrode; an electric generator; and a processing device suitable for determining an electrical characteristic that represents the capacity of the tissue of an anatomical structure between first and second contact surfaces of the first and second electrodes to conduct the electric current, and for emitting a warning signal corresponding to the determined electrical characteristic, the warning signal being intermittent. The processing device is suitable for detecting a variation in the electrical characteristic and for varying at least one variable parameter of the warning signal after a time delay, in accordance with the variation in the electrical characteristic, has elapsed.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable storage media for defects in images during three-dimensional measurement of teeth. An operator may use a dental camera to scan teeth and a trained deep neural network may automatically detect portions of the input images having defects and generate output information regarding those defects for corrective measures to be taken.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking a dental tool within an oral cavity for taking and/or updating of a dental impression are described. In some embodiments, a marker, optionally a magnetic marker, is coupled to position movements of a rotatable dental tool. In some embodiments, detected movements of the marker are used, optionally in combination with other tracking data, to map contours which a portion of the rotatable dental tool follows during interaction with a dental surface. Optionally, the interaction occurs during grinding, drilling, and/or other procedures; which may be preparatory, for example, to the manufacture and/or fitting of a dental prosthetic.

Abstract: A method for promoting compliance with an oral hygiene regimen includes displaying, on a display device, a representation of at least a portion of a set of teeth of a user. The method also includes overlaying an indicium on the representation such that the indicium is associated with a first section of the representation. Responsive to a determination, via at least one of one or more processors, that a head of an oral hygiene device is positioned directly adjacent to a first section of the set of teeth that corresponds to the first section of the representation for at least a predetermined amount of time, the indicium is removed from the display device.

Abstract: Apparatus having an x-ray source and a DR detector configured to travel cooperatively around a radiographic imaging axis. An imaging volume defines a spatial region to be imaged by the x-ray source and the DR detector. Radiopaque fiducials are selectively positioned in the imaging volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation system for dental and cranio-maxillofacial surgery, comprising a surgical handpiece (2), an imaging unit (4) which is movably attached to the surgical handpiece (2), and a marker member (6; 44, 46) which is attachable to a cranial bone, a facial bone (26), a tooth or teeth of a patient. The marker member (6; 44, 46) comprises a plurality of marker elements (8, 10; 46) which are detectable by the imaging unit (4). Further, the invention relates to a positioning tool (40) for use with the navigation system, wherein the positioning tool (40) is configured for positioning the marker member (44, 46) on a patient's cranial bone, facial bone (26), tooth or teeth and comprises a die element (42) and the marker member (44, 46).

Abstract: A toothbrush handle for providing oral cavity position detection during operation includes a handle body having a longitudinal axis, a receiver body elastically deformable relative to the longitudinal axis, and a three-axis force sensor that is operatively connected to the base portion and configured to obtain three-axis force data for oral cavity position detection during operation.

Abstract: The objective of the invention is to make the use of a cannula belonging to a bioimpedance sensor easier in a medical procedure after defining the bioimpedance.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an oral care system includes a toothbrush and a smart device removably retained in the toothbrush and having a plurality of sensors for sensing conditions of the oral cavity. The sensors may include sensors that obtain information while the smart device is retained in the toothbrush and sensors that obtain information while the smart device is separated from the toothbrush.

Abstract: An intraoral three-dimensional measuring method, comprising: acquiring, with a handy scanner, wide range three-dimensional measurement information on a three-dimensional shape measured on a wide range in a desirable measurement range in an intraoral space; acquiring, with the handy scanner, a plurality of pieces of narrow range three-dimensional measurement information each on a three-dimensional shape measured on a narrow range narrower than the wide range in the measurement range; and locating, with a controller, the plurality of pieces of narrow range three-dimensional measurement information based on the wide range three-dimensional measurement information by use of, as a synthesis reference, intra-measurement range position information common to the wide range three-dimensional measurement information and each of the plurality of pieces of narrow range three-dimensional measurement information, and creating synthetic three-dimensional information on the measurement range.

Abstract: An apparatus for seamlessly activating an on-demand function related to a fluid-driven instrument connects to an output of control valve regulating system pressure during normal operation of the instrument. The apparatus includes a fluid-operated bistable circuit that is switchable from a standby mode to an actuating mode by a brief drop in system pressure. In the actuating mode the circuit acts on a switch or valve to activate the function. Turning off system pressure to a longer time returns the circuit to its standby mode. The circuit includes a two-port biased actuator responsive to pressure imbalance between its ports, which are separately pressurizable through, respectively, an actuator-controlled valve and a flow control module.

Abstract: In an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for capturing a context of a file download or modification is disclosed. The method includes designating a file storage location for monitoring, capturing a continuous stream of display data, monitoring the designated file storage location for the download of a new data file to the file storage location or the modification of an existing data file stored in the file storage location, determining that a download of a new data file or modification of an existing data file has been initiated, storing the new data file or the modification to the existing data file in the file storage location, storing the captured display data as file display data, and creating a correspondence between the file display data and the stored new data file or modified existing data file.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oral care systems having an oral care tool and a first software application. The oral care tool includes a cleaning module, a sensing module, and a communications module. The first software application is run on a computing device, such as a mobile computing device, that receives the data from the sensing module and reproduces a simulated image reflecting the result of brushing. The mobile computing device can be linked to a cloud server that receives data from the first software application and saves detailed brushing data for each user. The first software application visualizes brushing and transforms brushing into a fun game. The cloud server collects and stores the detailed brushing data and provides it to users and care providers.

Abstract: Described herein is a dental handpiece for the endodontic treatment of a root canal, including a chuck for attaching and holding an endodontic file, an electric motor having a shaft for driving the endodontic file, and a control unit for controlling the motor, which receives a stream of input data. While monitoring the stream of input data, the control unit determines the current absorbed by the electric motor, and controls the motor so that the file alternates the direction of rotation at a frequency of from 1 to 20 Hz between a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, and whereby the control unit controls the electric motor so that the file continuously rotates in the second direction when the monitored data fulfils a predetermined torque threshold condition during rotation in the first direction.

Abstract: A toothbrush system includes a toothbrush having a floss pick with position sensors. The position sensors can be used to create a digital representation of the user's mouth and by monitoring the movement of the toothbrush while in use, the system can determine if all surface areas of the teeth have been properly brushed based upon the measured brush time and force. The system can determine if the teeth have been properly flossed based upon the measured floss time and position. If any areas of the teeth have not been properly brushed or flossed, the system can emit a signal informing the user of the areas that need additional brushing or flossing.

Abstract: A method for maintenance checking of a dental handpiece is disclosed. The method comprises measuring in advance no-load current values of a drive motor, with a handpiece known as being in usable condition and a handpiece known as insufficiently maintained respectively connected thereto and operated in no-load condition, storing as reference data the no-load current values of the drive motor together with associated data relating to degree of maintenance, measuring a no-load current value of the drive motor with a dental handpiece to be checked connected thereto and operated in no-load condition, and determining whether the handpiece checked is usable, requires maintenance, or is unusable, by comparing the measured no-load current value with the reference data.

Abstract: A reciprocating endodontic hand tool in which the torque applied to an instrument such as a debriding file can be set at or below an endurance limit of the file below which failure of the instrument will not occur. In preferred embodiments the tool can switch between settings in which the torque applied to the instrument is between the endurance limit of the file and an elastic limit of the file, by setting forward and reverse angles of rotation within specified limits. This reduces or eliminates opportunities for plastic distortion, fatigue and breakage of the file during the canal debriding/cleaning/shaping process in a root canal treatment or retreatment. In some embodiments the torque may be set to at or below a durability limit of the file below which failure of the instrument will not occur through repetitive strain over the course of a particular root canal treatment or retreatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting a three dimensional space-angle of a drill for a dental hand piece, including: a housing provided on a fixing unit of the dental hand piece; a first sensing unit for measuring an angle of the housing in real-time; a second sensing unit for measuring an angle of a head portion or jaw of the patient in real-time; an operating unit for calculating the three-dimensional space angle of the drill; a setting unit for setting a reference three-dimensional space angle of the drill with respect to the tooth structure as a three-dimensional space angle that the operator is wanting among the three-dimensional space angles of the operating unit; and a display unit for displaying an alert message when the three-dimensional space angle of the operating unit deviates from a predetermined range of the reference three-dimensional space angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling asymmetrical coasting of an endodontic reciprocating motor includes a controller operatively connected to the endodontic motor. The controller may include a processing unit that is configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the forward direction for a coast time and configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the reverse direction for a coast time. The forward coast time is separately calculated from the reverse coast time. A method for asymmetrically coasting a reciprocating endodontic motor includes rotating an endodontic motor in a forward direction and calculating a forward coast time for the forward direction and coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction for the calculated forward coast time. After coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction, the endodontic motor is rotated in a reverse direction. The reverse coast time is different than the forward coast time.

Abstract: An object is to provide a control device of a dental handpiece that is able to prevent giving a shock to the operator having the dental handpiece and the patient of treatment subject and also that is able to reduce the load onto the motor and to suppress heat generation thereof. The rotational direction of a motor 20 of a dental handpiece is switched at every certain time. At this time, before the rotational direction of the motor 20 is switched through switching of a relay 17, voltage to be applied to the motor 20 is reduced. It is thereby prevented that a large current flows into the motor 20 when the relay 17 is switched, and also that a large rotation torque is applied to a cutting tool rotationally driven by the motor 20.

Abstract: A fluid-operated medical or dental handheld element is disclosed, having a connecting device for connecting the handheld element to a fluid source so that a first impeller can be induced to rotate by a fluid stream to cause a tool to execute a driving motion, a fluid conducting device arranged between the connecting device and the first impeller for conveying a fluid stream away from or toward the first impeller, and a generator for generating electric power. The generator includes a second rotatable impeller that can be driven by at least a substream of the fluid stream conveyable in the first fluid conducting device. One result is more constant generation and output of power by the generator independent of the rotational speed of the first impeller, thereby insuring a more constant power supply to a power consuming device connected to the generator.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods for cleaning teeth and gingival pockets are disclosed herein. A fluid platform can include a pressure wave generator configured to propagate pressure waves through a treatment fluid. The pressure waves may be sufficient to remove undesirable dental deposits from a treatment tooth, neighboring gums, and/or spaces between the tooth and gums.

Abstract: An apparatus for mineralising a biological material includes an ultrasonic source, operable to generate an ultrasonic signal, an ultrasonic probe and one or more mineralising probes, operable to receive a mineralising agent. The mineralising agent is transferred from at least one mineralising probe to the biological material using the ultrasonic signal. Also disclosed are a mineralisation agent and a method of mineralising a biological material that includes the steps of: providing an ultrasound source, providing a mineralising agent, generating an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasound source, and applying the ultrasonic signal and the mineralising agent to the biological material separately, sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for cutting with a tool comprises rotating the tool in a first direction. Then, at a predetermined moment, quit rotating the tool and allow the tool to coast in the first direction. While the tool coasts, a parameter is determined that represents drag experienced by the tool as the tool coasts. If the determined parameter does not exceed a predetermined limit then the tool is rotated in the first direction. If the determined parameter exceeds the predetermined limit, then the tool is rotated in another direction opposite the first direction. The predetermined moment when the tool begins to coast may be any desired moment, such as when the tool rotates through a specific distance or for a specific period of time.

Abstract: A medical or dental handpiece comprises a lighting device for the emission of radiation, in particular of visible light, onto a treatment site, a temperature sensor preferably located in the interior of the handpiece, and at least one shared electrical signal line provided in the handpiece for the lighting device and the temperature sensor. The lighting device and the temperature sensor are both operatively connected to the at least one shared electrical signal line. A medical or dental treatment device comprises such a handpiece and a control and/or regulation device electrically connected to the at least one shared electrical signal line provided in the handpiece, which is designed to emit a first electrical signal assigned to the lighting device and a second electrical signal assigned to the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a dental instrument includes a foot pedal responsive to commands from a user. An operating mode is selectable between normal and boost cycle. A conventional mode is selectable by pressing and holding the foot pedal to a first level to operate in normal mode. The foot pedal operates in a boost mode when the pedal advances to a second level. Maintained mode is selectable by tapping the foot pedal to change modes between idle, normal and boost mode. Each mode is switched by tapping the foot pedal. The pedal switches between the second process and the first process by pressing and holding the foot pedal at the desired level corresponding to normal or boost mode. The pedal switches from the first process to the second process by tapping the foot pedal at the level corresponding to normal or boost.

Abstract: A dental treating apparatus according to the present invention includes: a hand piece; a head unit; a driving unit; a control unit; a load specifying unit; and a load comparing unit. The hand piece drivably holds a cutting tool on the head unit. The driving unit drives the cutting tool in a normal rotation direction or in a reverse rotation direction. The load comparing unit compares a load detected and a reference load. During a normal rotation period until driving for rotating the cutting tool in the normal rotation direction by the driving unit satisfies a predetermined first condition, the control unit maintains a rotation direction of the cutting tool in the normal rotation direction, and when a result of comparison by the load comparing unit attains a predetermined result during the normal rotation period, the control unit controls the rotation direction to the reverse rotation direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and systems for detecting the existence of oral conditions.

Abstract: An oral care system for cleaning teeth and gums includes a housing, an oral hygiene unit, and a gooseneck arm attached to the housing and releasably coupling the oral hygiene unit to the housing, the gooseneck arm being adjustable to hold the oral hygiene unit at a defined position and orientation relative to the housing. The oral hygiene unit has a mouthpiece having at least one arcuate channel adapted to receive and surround the teeth. The mouthpiece includes at least two modalities chosen from a group consisting of a mechanical modality, an iontophoretic modality, and a disinfection modality, wherein the mechanical modality brushes the teeth and gums and dislodges food debris, the iontophoretic modality breaks up plaque buildup, and the disinfection modality removes the food debris and plaque. The oral care system includes a control unit which controls transmission of the modalities and tracks utilization of the system.

Abstract: 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, one or more energy-applying element located on at least one of the walls and wherein the improvement of the apparatus comprises paired dental treatment applicators configured to be applied to both upper and lower dental arcades concurrently and a number of dental treatment accelerating elements and fields.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oral care systems having an oral care tool and a first software application. The oral care tool includes a cleaning module, a sensing module and a communications module. The first software application is run on a computing device, such as a mobile computing device, that receives the data from the sensing module and reproduces a simulated image reflecting the result of brushing. The mobile computing device can be linked to a cloud server that receives data from the first software application and saves detailed brushing data for each user. The first software application visualizes brushing and transforms brush into fun game. The cloud server collects and stores the detailed brushing data and provides it to users and care providers.

Abstract: A closed system mouthpiece uses light and heat generation to activate a gel formulation to increase its volume. The gel formulation is coated into the mouthpiece, which is inserted into the user's mouth. Application of heat above a threshold temperature causes the gel to transform into foam and expand out of the mouthpiece and into the oral cavity. The mouthpiece creates a hermetic seal such that the foam expands out throughout the oral cavity into nooks and crannies that are normally difficult to access. Activation of a light source embedded within the mouthpiece enhances the bacteria killing properties of the foam material. The pH balance of the mouth is restored by the inventive method and apparatus to a neutral level in the range of 6.75 to 7.25.

Abstract: The oral health appliance (10) includes a source of light (16) having a wavelength which is suitable for determination of oral health conditions, as well as treatment thereof. An assembly (16) in the appliance directs the light to selected dental regions of the mouth. A light receiver and sensor (16) receives reflected light from the dental regions, produces signal information therefrom and delivers the signal information to a processor (20), which determines the presence of oral health conditions, as well as determining the overall coverage of the mouth during a use of the appliance. The information from the processor is then sent to a display (24), identifying the presence of any oral health conditions and the location thereof, as well as information concerning those areas of the mouth which have been investigated during the use of the appliance and those which have not.

Abstract: A medical syringe with a light source mounted on a distal end of the syringe to provide illumination of an injection site, a battery pack receiver configured to receive a battery pack with magnetic attraction a proximal end of the syringe, and a control circuit that is configured to illuminate the light source when the control circuit detects movement of the syringe and disconnects the battery from the light source either after a fixed period of time or after motion of the syringe ceases. Ideally the light source is a disc-shaped array of LED lights. The syringe is constructed of materials that can be sterilized.

Abstract: Drilling of an implant shaft is carried out with a handpiece tool whose location and angular orientation with respect to a radiographic working guide is updated in real time with respect to the radiographic working guide and anatomical structures of the patient, free of viewing obstructions. Prior to the drilling, the radiographic working guide is fitted to a particular patient. Real-time imaging support is provided on a display of a computer, wherein the radiographic workpiece guide includes a plurality of fiducial markers that define a substantially planar reference surface of the radiographic workpiece guide. The radiographic workpiece guide also includes an alignment structure located a predetermined distance from a pilot hole proximate the work site. The image is updated based on an initial radiographic scan and updated position information from the handpiece tool as to location and angular orientation of the handpiece tool relative to the workpiece guide.

Abstract: A device for quickly stopping a medical or dental drilling tool includes a drilling tool having a body extending between a connection end and a working end and having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis of the drilling tool. The drilling tool has a hollow outer shell in which a probe is held that can be moved along the longitudinal axis so that a part of the probe can be moved out of the shell through an opening. The probe is designed as an elongated pin, and its first end facing the connection end is held in the interior of the shell. An electromagnetic sensor for detecting relative movement between the shell and the probe is arranged along the longitudinal extension of the body. The drilling tool has a channel for a treatment fluid extending along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method and device for programming a cordless handpiece used for root canal treatment and having a first memory and a tool holder for a treatment tool are described. The method includes providing a first data volume having a plurality of data sets in a second memory separate from the first memory, each of the data sets comprising at least one parameter assigned to the cordless handpiece and/or to the operable tool, selecting at least some of the data sets from the first data volume in the second memory, transmitting the selected data sets from the second memory to the first memory of the handpiece, and selecting a data set from the updated first memory for operation of the handpiece.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting early stage dental caries and decays are provided. In particular, in an embodiment, laser-induced autofluorescence (AF) from multiple excitation wavelengths is obtained and analyzed. Endogenous fluorophores residing in the enamel naturally fluoresce when illuminated by wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet into the visible spectrum. The relative intensities of the AF emission changes between different excitation wavelengths when the enamel changes from healthy to demineralized. By taking a ratio of AF emission spectra integrals between different excitation wavelengths, a standard is created wherein changes in AF ratios within a tooth are quantified and serve as indicators of early stage enamel demineralization. The techniques described herein may be used in conjunction with a scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) to provide a reliable, safe and low-cost means for identifying dental caries or decays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a root canal length measuring apparatus and a root canal treatment apparatus which can acquire a position of a measurement electrode with high reproducibility in the same root canal. The root canal length measuring apparatus includes a measurement electrode which is inserted into a root canal, an oral electrode which is held in an oral cavity, a measuring section which applies an electric measuring signal between the measurement electrode and the oral electrode and specifies an apex position so as to measure a root canal length, a memory means which stores position data corresponding to a position of the measurement electrode in a root canal acquired by the measuring section, and an operating means which instructs the memory means to store the position data.

Abstract: Feedback data useful in prosthodontic procedures associated with the intra oral cavity is provided. First, a 3D numerical model of the target zone in the intra oral cavity is provided, and this is manipulated so as to extract particular data that may be useful in a particular procedure, for example data relating to the finish line or to the shape and size of a preparation. The relationship between this data and the procedure is then determined, for example the clearance between the preparation and the intended crown. Feedback data, indicative of this relationship, is then generated, for example whether the preparation geometry is adequate for the particular type of prosthesis.

Abstract: According to a dental image display device, a dental surgical operation device, and a dental image display method, a 2D captured image of a tooth as a surgical operation target that is captured with visible light in an articulation face direction, and an articulation face direction converted 2D image obtained as a result of displaying 3D information, which is acquired on the tooth and includes information on a root canal inside the tooth, two-dimensionally on a predetermined plane in the articulation face direction, are displayed in correspondence with each other on a monitor.

Abstract: An oral illumination apparatus configured for placement in a mouth. The oral illumination apparatus includes a housing configured to be coupled to a structure in the mouth. The housing including a processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus further includes a sensor coupled to the housing and configured to detect a characteristic from within the mouth, wherein the sensor provides a feedback signal indicative of the characteristic to the processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus includes a light source coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus further includes a power source coupled to the housing. The processing circuit is configured to control the light source in response to the feedback signal.

Abstract: An oral illumination apparatus configured for placement in a mouth. The oral illumination apparatus includes a housing configured to be coupled to a structure in the mouth. The housing including a processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus further includes a sensor coupled to the housing and configured to detect a characteristic from within the mouth, wherein the sensor provides a feedback signal indicative of the characteristic to the processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus includes a light source coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus further includes a power source coupled to the housing. The processing circuit is configured to control the light source in response to the feedback signal.

Abstract: A dental device is provided in which the dental device comprises electronic components for ornamental functionality as well as orthodontic functionality. The dental device comprises components for light, sound, and video display for patients with braces, or for recreational users.

Abstract: A quick stop drilling tool for use with a medical or dental treatment device includes a drilling tool having a body extending between a connection end and a working end and having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis of the drilling tool. The drilling tool has a hollow outer shell in which a probe is held that can be moved along the longitudinal axis so that a part of the probe can be moved out of the shell through an opening. The probe is designed as an elongated pin, and its first end facing the connection end is held in the interior of the hollow outer shell. An electromagnetic sensor for detecting relative movement between the shell and the probe is arranged along the longitudinal extension of the body. The drilling tool has a channel for a treatment fluid extending along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The appliance includes a brushhead having conductive fiber bristles by which a potential is applied to electrochemically activate a teeth whitening substance, such as peroxide, in the vicinity of the teeth. An impedance appliance system (62) or an optical appliance system (27) provides information concerning whether the conductive fiber bristles are adjacent a tooth surface or gum region. The impedance system uses an electrical signal through the fiber to determine the impedance of a circuit which includes the tooth or gum surface, the impedance being different, depending on whether a tooth or gum surface is in the circuit. The optical system generates a light beam which is directed to the mouth surface through a conductive fiber, the color of the returning light indicating whether the surface is a tooth or gum region. If a tooth is determined, the teeth whitening substance is activated at that bristle, while if gum tissue is determined, the teeth whitening substance is not activated at that bristle.