Here in Alaska, we’re pretty used to living alongside bears. We’re the only state with three types of bears—black, brown/grizzly, and polar—so we know a thing or two about their bone-crunching jaws and railroad-spike teeth. It’s a unique part of life up here, and it keeps us on our toes.
But, like all creatures, even bears can have dental issues. Over in Duluth, Minnesota, at the Lake Superior Zoo, an Alaskan brown bear named Tundra faced a dental dilemma. One of his teeth went bad, leading to Tundra receiving the world’s largest dental crown.
Now, Tundra’s got a shiny new silver tooth, thanks to a first-of-its-kind procedure for a bear. Weighing in at 800 pounds, this bear was sedated and fitted with a new crown. According to the zoo, it’s the largest dental crown ever made.
Caroline Routley, the zoo’s marketing manager, mentioned that Tundra now has a bit of glint in his smile. While there’s no confirmation that Tundra’s planning a rap career to show off his new tooth, it certainly sets a record. The procedure was carried out by Dr. Grace Brown, a board-certified veterinary dentist.
Dr. Brown had previously performed a root canal on that same tooth two years ago. When the tooth got injured again, they decided a stronger crown was necessary. The titanium alloy crown was crafted by Creature Crowns of Post Falls, Idaho, using a wax cast of the tooth.
Dr. Brown intends to publish a paper on this extraordinary procedure in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. The video documenting the procedure was done with care, as such operations can be a bit much for the unprepared. I imagine those assisting Dr. Brown found the experience rewarding.
Zoo bears live quite differently from their wild counterparts, often lacking the hard muscle of a wild bear—almost like they’re gummy bears. But even these less active bears can have dental issues. Dental hygiene is crucial, even for bears.
Poor dental health can be quite embarrassing for a bear, possibly affecting their participation in fun activities like bearaoke or blueberry pie eating contests. But let’s not forget, these animals, whether in zoos or the wild, are not just cuddly creatures.
Coastal brown bears like Tundra can weigh over half a ton and reach speeds of 35 miles per hour. They have the strength to rip the door off a 1-ton pickup and can bite through a moose’s femur. Truly, they are apex predators.
Only polar bears surpass coastal browns in size and danger levels. While they might be cautious around humans, they aren’t afraid of much else. Their magnificence is undeniable, and we’re fortunate to share the planet with them.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little bear tale. Remember, if you haven’t signed up for a RedState VIP membership yet, you might regret it. Don’t wait until it’s too late; join today and use promo code FIGHT for a 60% discount.
