Lake Superior Zoo in Minnesota announced it has given a brown bear the world’s largest dental crown, with the bear now sporting a silver titanium canine.
Bear-y Big News: Tundra the Brown Bear Gets Record-Breaking Dental Crown
At the Lake Superior Zoo in Minnesota, a brown bear named Tundra has just made dental history — by receiving the largest veterinary dental crown ever created.
The 800-pound, 8-foot-tall bear fractured his right canine tooth in 2023 and, after an initial root canal, reinjured the tooth earlier this year. To protect the sensitive area and prevent further damage, zoo staff turned to an innovative solution: a custom titanium alloy crown, created by Creature Crowns, a veterinary dental company based in Idaho.
“Tundra the Brown Bear just made dental history!” the zoo shared on Instagram. “We’re thrilled to announce the first-ever full metal crown placed on a bear — and it’s the largest of its kind in the world!”
On June 23, a veterinary dentist successfully installed the silver-colored crown in a one-hour surgery, while Tundra was fully sedated. For safety, the zoo’s armed response team stood by during the procedure — but Tundra snoozed peacefully throughout.
The result? One very regal-looking bear.
“He’s got a little glint in his smile now,” said Caroline Routley, marketing manager at Lake Superior Zoo.
Thanks to the crown, Tundra is now back to eating normally, and the tooth is protected from future trauma and infection. While most bears may not worry about their smiles, Tundra’s dental bling has set a new standard in wildlife veterinary care.