Alaskan Brown Bear Tundra Receives Largest Dental Crown in Unique Procedure

An Alaskan brown bear at the Lake Superior Zoo in Minnesota now sports a shiny new silver canine tooth. This unique dental procedure is a first for a bear. The 800-pound Tundra was sedated on Monday for the fitting of this crown, which is the largest ever made, according to the zoo.

The operation was carried out by Dr. Grace Brown, a veterinary dentist who had previously performed a root canal on Tundra's tooth two years ago. "He's got a little glint in his smile now," said Caroline Routley, the zoo's marketing manager. The decision to fit a stronger crown was made after Tundra reinjured the tooth.

Veterinary Dentistry and Safety Measures

The titanium alloy crown was crafted by Creature Crowns in Idaho from a wax cast of Tundra's tooth. Dr. Brown intends to publish her findings in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry later this year. "This is the largest crown ever created in the world," she stated. "It has to be published."

Tundra and his sibling, Banks, have been residents of the Duluth zoo since they were three months old, following their mother's death. Now six years old, Tundra stands about 8 feet tall when on his hind legs. Due to his size, an armed response team member was present during the procedure to ensure safety.

Past Incidents and Current Success

The procedure went smoothly, and Tundra has returned to his habitat, behaving and eating as usual. However, not all veterinary procedures have been as successful. In 2009, a veterinarian at Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska suffered severe arm injuries during a routine exam on a Malaysian tiger.

During that incident, the tiger began waking from sedation when its whiskers were accidentally touched, causing it to bite down on the vet's forearm reflexively. Fortunately, Tundra's procedure did not encounter such issues.

Tundra's new dental crown marks an innovative step in veterinary dentistry for large animals. The successful fitting of this crown highlights advancements in animal care and safety protocols during complex procedures.

With inputs from PTI