Convergent Dental

Convergent Dental, Inc. operates as a privately held dental equipment and technology company, having been founded by Michael Cataldo in 2011 with the objective of addressing patient fear of dental procedures. Cataldo, a serial entrepreneur with a background in healthcare software, previously founded MediVation, which was later acquired by McKesson. After years of development, the company introduced its flagship product in 2013. Robert L. Gershon, a seasoned executive in the medical technology sector with prior leadership roles at companies like Mauna Kea Technologies and Bovie Medical, took over as CEO in July 2022 following Cataldo's retirement.

The company's core business is the sale of its Solea® All-Tissue Dental Laser system to dental professionals, including solo practitioners, dental service organizations (DSOs), and dental schools. This system is designed to improve practice efficiency, clinical outcomes, and the overall patient experience. Revenue is generated through the sale of the Solea system, with the company also offering training, education programs, and customer support to ensure effective implementation. Strategic partnerships with distributors like Patterson Dental expand the company's market reach across the United States and Canada.

Solea is a computer-aided carbon dioxide (CO2) laser system distinguished by its unique 9.3-micron wavelength, which is highly absorbed by both hydroxyapatite (enamel) and water (soft tissue). This allows the laser to vaporize enamel and ablate soft and osseous tissue with high speed and precision, a key differentiator from other laser technologies that may slowly chip enamel or are limited to soft tissue applications. It is the only CO2 laser cleared by the FDA for all-tissue indications. For dentists, this translates to performing a wide array of procedures—from cavity preparations and gum contouring to treating snoring—often without the need for anesthetic injections, drills, or sutures. This capability enables dentists to perform more same-day and multi-quadrant procedures, significantly boosting practice productivity. For patients, the experience is quieter and avoids the vibration of a drill, reducing anxiety and discomfort. The system also includes a non-surgical treatment for palatal snoring, Solea® Sleep, which works by tightening tissue in the soft palate in a simple five-minute procedure.

Keywords: dental laser, all-tissue laser, Solea, CO2 laser, anesthesia-free dentistry, needle-free dentistry, pain-free dentistry, dental technology, medical device, hard and soft tissue laser, Michael Cataldo, Robert L. Gershon, Solea Sleep, snoring treatment, dental equipment, practice efficiency, patient experience, minimally invasive dentistry, periodontal treatment, Patterson Dental, Arboretum Ventures