An Alaskan brown bear named Tundra has received a custom-made dental crown at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, Minnesota. The procedure, conducted by Dr. Grace Brown, involved fitting Tundra with a titanium alloy crown crafted by Creature Crowns of Post Falls, Idaho. This marks the first time a full metal crown has been placed on a bear, highlighting advancements in veterinary dental care for large animals.
The procedure was performed under sedation and took approximately an hour. Due to Tundra's size, a member of the zoo's trained armed response team was present as a precautionary measure. Following the procedure, Tundra resumed normal behavior and eating habits.
Dr. Brown plans to publish a report on this groundbreaking procedure in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry later this year. The event underscores both advances in veterinary dental care and the precautions necessary when treating large wild animals.