Alaska Brown Bear at Minnesota Zoo Gets a New Metal Canine Tooth

Tundra, an 800-pound Alaska brown bear at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, Minnesota, has become the first bear to receive a custom-fitted titanium alloy dental crown. The hour-long procedure, performed under sedation, was carried out by Dr. Grace Brown, a Veterinary dentist who previously performed a root canal on the same tooth. After Tundra reinjured it, the decision was made to install a stronger, permanent crown—the largest ever made for any animal.

Crafted from a wax mold by Creature Crowns in Idaho, the silver-colored crown adds a gleam to Tundra’s smile. Dr. Brown plans to publish a scientific paper on the groundbreaking procedure. Due to Tundra’s massive size, an armed zoo staff member was present during the operation as a precaution. Now six years old and standing 8 feet tall on his hind legs, Tundra is back to normal and recovering well. He and his sibling Banks have lived at the zoo since infancy.