WSU grizzly goes to the dentist | CAHNRS News | Washington State University

WSU grizzly goes to the dentist

A sedated grizzly bear lies on a veterinary examination table while a veterinary professional performs a dental procedure. The clinician wears protective eyewear with magnifying loupes, a surgical mask, and purple gloves while using a lighted dental instrument inside the bear’s mouth. An anesthesia tube is secured at the bear’s muzzle and connected to breathing equipment visible in the foreground. Monitoring wires are attached to the bear’s body, and several other veterinary staff members stand nearby in the clinical treatment room. Bright examination lighting illuminates the procedure, highlighting the bear’s teeth and the medical equipment surrounding the table.

It turns out even bears need their teeth worked on from time to time.
When Adak, a resident of WSU’s Bear Research, Education, and Conservation Center, recently damaged his canine tooth, the university’s vets stepped in to help.