— the term "pulsating" can refer to different operating principles. Most often, it involves technology used in addition to oscillating-rotating or oscillating-sweeping modes of operation (see the relevant paragraphs). In such toothbrushes, the bristles can not only rotate or oscillate in a single plane but also extend out of the head and retract back into it, enabling 3D cleaning (see “Cleaning modes”). If the 3D mode is not specified for a toothbrush, it is worth clarifying what exactly is meant by pulsating technology. In some models, this essentially refers to a whitening mode, where the device operates in bursts rather than continuously to maximize the intensity of the effect. In other devices, the term refers to a sonic or ultrasonic operating principle (see the relevant paragraphs).
