Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Precision of In Vivo Quantitative Tooth Wear Measurement Using Intra-Oral Scans
Published on: July 12, 2022
The dental water jet: a product ahead of its time
1Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Center for Dental Studies, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA.
Abstract:
The dental water jet was invented by Dr. Gerald Moyer, a dentist, and John Mattingly, an engineer, in Ft. Collins, Colorado, in the late 1950s. The dental water jet, also known as an oral irrigator, was introduced to the dental profession in Texas during the 1962 Dallas Dental Convention. Numerous studies measuring the irrigator's efficacy in different cohorts have been published in peer-reviewed journals. The results of those studies are discussed in this article. The bulk of research has been conducted on one product (Waterpik dental water jet, Water Pik, Inc, Fort Collins, CO). This article is designed to provide dental professionals with the evidence essential to making an informed decision on the oral health benefits and expected outcomes of the dental water jet.
Related Concept Videos
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
Free Jet

