Convergent Dental, Inc., a privately held dental device and technology company, announced today that it had secured $8 million in an oversubscribed funding round led by Long River Ventures along with individual investors. The latest round of funding allows the company to expand to meet the growing demand for Solea™, the world's first-ever computer-aided CO2 laser to be cleared by the FDA for both hard and soft tissue procedures. Convergent Dental will make strategic investments in product development, sales and marketing and client services in anticipation of rapid growth as dentists use Solea to bring dread-free dentistry to their patients.

Convergent Dental is completely changing what it means to go to the dentist. Research from the American Dental Association shows that nearly one-quarter of all Americans avoid dentists because they're afraid. Convergent Dental is reversing this trend by eliminating the need for drills and needles in a vast majority of dental procedures. More than 30 years of research from distinguished academic institutions, including the University of California San Francisco, show that Solea's unique 9.3 µm wavelength cuts dental enamel without the patient experiencing pain. Solea dentists report that 95% of their procedures are performed without anesthesia. The product eliminates patient anxieties that have prevented proper oral-systemic healthcare.

'Convergent Dental is well on its way to changing dentistry as we know it,' said Will Cowen, general partner, Long River Ventures. 'This is a strong leadership team bringing a highly innovative technology to market, with clear benefits to dentists and their patients.'

Convergent Dental makes the transition to Solea effortless by delivering innovative technology packaged into an interface that is familiar to practitioners who have used drills their entire career. The foot pedal and hand piece resemble those of the traditional drill, enabling dentists to become proficient with Solea after only one day of training. A simple touchscreen and sophisticated computer controls allow Solea users to easily select the type of tissue that is being worked on - i.e. soft tissue, dentin or enamel - so the system can optimize the beam for speed, precision and patient comfort.

'Solea's immediate impact on the dental industry and patient experience is proof that the world is ready for a pain-free dental laser,' said Convergent Dental CEO Michael Cataldo. 'This round of funding will focus on strategic growth to execute Convergent Dental's mission to vastly improve the patient dental experience. Without fear of the dentist, millions of people are more likely to receive the oral care they need to lead healthy lives.'

About Convergent Dental, Inc.

Convergent Dental, Inc., is a privately managed dental equipment and technology company and developer of Solea™, the world's first computer-aided, CO2 laser system to ever be cleared by the FDA for both hard and soft tissue indications. Solea cuts significantly quieter, finer and faster than any other laser-based system in dentistry. Solea's speed and precision is a result of patented technologies and computer system controls that are unique to Convergent Dental, Inc. For more information visit www.convergentdental.com.