CAO

Creating Easier, Faster, and Better Products for the Dental Industry since 2000

Food & Drug Administration

FDA cleared medical devices

American Dental Association

Supporter & Contributor

The History of CAO Group

1999
Dr. Cao invented the first LED curing light, receiving US patent 6,331,111 and 38 other patents.

2000
Dr. Cao founded CAO Group, Inc. (CAO) in Salt Lake County, Utah. CAO’s logo is derived from Dr. Cao’s last name in Chinese, which is comprised of three separate meanings.

2001
CAO teamed up with Ultradent Products, Inc. to release first LED curing light in dentistry, called Ultralume 2.

The vast majority of manufacturers license Dr. Cao’s technology to benefit their dentistry. It is estimated that Dr. Cao’s LED curing light saves nearly $6,000 in individual dental practices each year.

2002
Dr. Cao invented the fundamental structure of LED light sources and received two patents (US 6,465,961 and 6,634,770). These patents remain the fundamental structure of today’s LED light sources. Nearly all manufacturers today have adopted these patents.

2003
CAO invented the first compact and portable diode laser by teaming with Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc. – the Odyssey Diode Laser.

Shortly after the release of the Odyssey Diode Laser, CAO received a list of patents in diode lasers (US 7,485,116; 8,337,097; 8,834,457; 8,961,040; 9,967,883 and others). CAO’s diode lasers are all major players in dentistry.

2004
CAO introduced the first LED forensic light for police investigations, Ultralite ALS. This product has become the gold standard for LED forensic lights used in solving numerous criminal cases. The Ultralite ALS has also been featured in several CSI television shows.

2006
CAO moved to their 60,000 sq. ft. facility to West Jordan, Utah where engineering and production of medical products takes place. CAO’s facility also houses their R&D, Engineering, Global Logistics, Customer Support, Marketing, and Sales teams.

2008
CAO built a 100,000 sq. ft. facility in Beijing Area, China which manufactures all CAO’s chemical products.

2010
CAO entered an exclusive distribution relationship with Henry Schein for its core products.

CAO’s Sheer White! Whitening Strips became the top selling teeth whitening products in the distribution channel.

2014
Despite P&G’s efforts to monopolize the teeth whitening industry, CAO’s patents remain a leader in the dental industry and court.

2017
CAO introduced the first in-office teeth whitening strip.

CAO rebranded the Odyssey Lasers to Pioneer Lasers and began distributing through various distribution channels.

2018
CAO acquired AMD Lasers as a wholly owned subsidiary. CAO sells AMD products directly to consumers.

2020
In the precise moment of need, CAO Group introduced the most effective extra oral chair-side suction device, the Aegis VacStation, capable of removing 100% spatter and aerosol particles to mitigate risk of infection & disease in pandemic conditions.

Innovation is in our DNA. With over 160 patents and more on the way, we are determined to innovate the dentistry field both scientifically and clinically in the years to come. We never forget our first goal: to make our customers’ operations Easier, Faster, and Better.

2021
The Monet Laser Curing Light began disrupting the industry by being the fastest ever composite cure and was voted one of the technologies of the year by Gordan Christiansens Clinician’s Report.

Innovation is in our DNA. With over 160 patents and more on the way, we are determined to innovate the dentistry field both scientifically and clinically in the years to come. We never forget our first goal: to make our customers’ operations Easier, Faster, and Better.

Useful Links & Research

• CAO catalogue
• Insights into Blue Light Laser Curing by Emeritus Professor Laurence J Walsh, a leading Australian dentist.
  Insights into blue lasers for photopolymerization
  
• Clinicians Report® was impressed with the Monet more than any other curing light, that they said:
  “High irradiance output produced faster and deeper polymerization than other light sources”
  Gordon J. Christensen Clinicians Report 
• “The uniquely consistent energy delivered by the Monet is a game changer not only for thick increments of newer bulk fill composites but also for thinner increments of gold standard light cure resins and base materials used in deeper preparations.”–Alireza Sadr, DDS, PhD
  Dr. Sadr’s Article 
• Orthodontics and laser curing are a match made in heaven!
  “1-second curing by Monet laser yields similar results of 3-second curing by high power setting LED curing lights for the sheer bonding strength, degree of polymer conversion, and microhardness.”
  White Paper Monet detailed breakdown of the science 
• “The laser curing light on 3M composite showed less debonding in both 8mm and 1mm distances, compared to LED curing light.”
  -University of Washington School of Dentistry
  Effect of new laser and LED light curing units on the adaptation of Bulkfill composites in deep preperations 
• Download Dr. John Flucke’s FREE CE ebook
  Learn how the Monet Laser Curing light can improve the efficiencies in your practice.
  Handheld Curing Lasers and Other Modalities to Increase the Clinical Efficiency of Bonding Procedures 
• On-Demand course on clinical laser applications for Dentists practicing in QLD, TAS and WA
  ADA Queensland Multi-Wave Laser Training 
• Depth Matrix Guide of different composite materials 
• In-vitro pulpal temperature increases when photo-curingbulk-fill resin-based composites using laser or light-emitting diode light curing units
• Additional information – Monet Curing Light