Sumatran tiger with snapped tooth gets root canal at Welsh Mountain Zoo

Budi, who is four-years-old, spent a number of hours in the dentists’ chair whilst internationally renowned animal dentist, Dr Peter Kertesz, carried out the procedure.

Keepers at the Welsh Mountain Zoo had spotted Budi’s snapped tooth and recognised it was time to call in the experts.

Dr Kertesz, who has been practising for more than 40 years and operates from his Central London practise, not only cares for the teeth of children and adults but also specialises in zoological dentistry.

Budi had to be sedated during the operation which took three hours to set up and two hours to carry out.

Nick Jackson, director at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, said: “Our keepers check the teeth of our animals regularly. We naturally become aware of their personality traits and habits and could see that Budi was in some pain. We’ve worked with Dr Kertesz for many years and knew he was in the best hands.”

Budi has been at the Welsh Mountain Zoo since January 2016. It is believed he broke his tooth while eating a bone. The endangered animal weighs 118kg and has his teeth are about 2.5 inches long plus an inch of root.

A zoo spokesperson added: “It took Budi about two hours to be allowed back in with Kinnara once he had come round from the anaesthetic, but he was back to himself and to his normal eating routine the day after.

“The procedure itself is very safe, and it was supervised by three very experienced veterinarians, if any issues were to arise it is usually while the animal is under general anaesthetic, but as Budi is a young tiger with a clean bill of health, there were absolutely no issues with this procedure.”

“The procedure for an animal is the same as a normal root canal, the difference lays on the size difference between a humans tooth and a tigers so especially adapted tools have to be created, but the procedure itself is exactly the same.”

Dr Kertesz added: “It is always a pleasure to come and visit Welsh Mountain Zoo. It is team work.”