Routine root canal surgery is second nature to most dentists. It can be more difficult if your patient is a 94-year-old polar bear.
Three-year-old Sisu was in urgent need of treatment after Yorkshire Wildlife Park staff noticed that a front dog had been injured.
Dr Peter Kertesz, an animal dentist, was called in to administer sedation to the animal and to perform a root canal procedure for the tooth.
Dr Peter Kertesz, Monika Mazurkiewicz, a dentist specializing in the use anaesthetics, and Dr Peter Kertesz performed surgery on Sisu at three years old.
After staff discovered that he had a fractured front canine, the polar bear needed urgent dental treatment.
Dr Kertesz stated that a broken tooth can cause severe infection and be very painful.
We cleaned the infected root of the canine’s tooth, which was nearly three inches long, then filled it.
The park is home for eight polar bears. It is also the largest centre for the animals in Canada.
The root canal was completed by the animal doctor along with his team. The 94st Sisu was then sedated.
Charlotte McDonald, the director of animals at the wildlife park, confirmed that Sisu was now ‘fully recuperated’
Dr Kertesz, Monika Mazurkiewicz (dental nurse) and a vet who is a specialist in the use anaesthetics completed the operation.
He said, “It was amazing that the keepers were so attentive to the animals and observed this.
‘Sisu’ will now have a painless, infection-free tooth for his entire life.
“Sisu was very quick to stand after the operation. But he was kept in the den to fully recover.
Charlotte McDonald, director of wildlife parks, confirmed that Sisu has now been ‘fully recovered.