Ultrasound-toothbrush maker lands $11.3 million

Ultreo, which has developed a new toothbrush that uses sound waves to destroy plaque and whiten teeth, has landed $11.3 million in venture financing.

Total financing in the 60-person company, formerly Second Act Partners, now stands at $23 million.

Jack Gallagher, chief executive of Ultreo, said that the toothbrush is different from other products on the market because it uses ultrasound technology to clean teeth.

"The ultrasound causes bubbles to move around the mouth in addition to the bristle contact," said Gallagher, adding that the toothbrush provides a deeper and faster clean. The company also claims that the toothbrush can begin to whiten teeth in 14 days and reduce gingivitis in 30 days.

The toothbrush debuted at $149 in February and currently is available through select dental offices and on the company's Web site.

Gallagher, who was president of Sonicare maker Optiva and Philips Oral Healthcare from 1999 to 2002, said the company may start distributing the device through select retail outlets later this year.

To date, Ultreo has sold 12,000 to 15,000 toothbrushes, he said.

Investors in the round included Polaris Venture Partners, Buerk Dale Victor, WRF Capital and 16 dentists. In total, the company's investor base includes more than 35 dentists.

"We like to have the dentists as investors because they can help us in many ways," Gallagher said.

The technology was created in 2003 at the University of Washington by Pierre Mourad, a research associate professor in the UW Department of Neurological Surgery. The university, which has licensed the technology to Ultreo, has a small stake in the company.

Optiva founder David Giuliani also is a minor angel investor.

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