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The firefighters of Ranua lift the polar bear onto the treatment table. The patient’s position further complicated the imaging
procedure. Due to its weight, Venus’ head could not be supported
Once Venus was under anaesthesia, the den filled with the over the edge of the table, as planned. The team was able to
dental suite equipment. The firefighters of Ranua assisted by rotate the front side of the polar bear to her side for the X-rays.
lifting the polar bear and the Planmeca ProX™ intraoral imaging Plandent’s Technical Product Specialist, Sami Karttunen, assisted
unit was used to image her left lower teeth. The X-ray revealed a by capturing the X-rays and speeding up the imaging process.
diagonal fracture in the polar bear’s left lower canine tooth near
the gum line. Due to her vast experience in veterinary root canal During the treatment itself, the use of consumable materials
treatments, Dr Kuntsi was tasked to perform a root canal. Along was not entirely uncomplicated either.
with assistance from Dr Kortegaard the procedure was completed
in 56 minutes. “For instance, chemical-curing materials did not cure as normal
when the environment is frigid. The root filling material that I
‘’Before we saw the X-rays, we did not know if the root canal used had also hardened because of the low temperature,” Kuntsi
treatment would be enough to solve the problem. We also summarises.
prepared to remove a tooth but luckily did not have to take that
traumatic action, due to the limited time frame and difficult “Luckily, Hanna and I were prepared for the treatment with a
aftercare. Fortunately, the root canal of the canine tooth was not huge number of different instruments and consumable materials.
cramped or very long, so that we could treat the patient in the Fortunately, the root canal files and drying posts were long
time frame,” Helena Kuntsi says. enough for a polar bear tooth.”
According to Kuntsi, the treatment did not differ dramatically “It was absolutely amazing to observe how seamlessly these
from the root canal treatment of a large dog. veterinary professionals immediately worked together – although
this was their first experience as a team. It was fabulous that
Seamless cooperation the key behind success the Planmeca Group could also assist by delivering imaging
Unconventional circumstances introduced challenges not only for devices and expertise, as well as LM-Dental’s hand instruments,”
the treatment itself but also for the materials and equipment used Helena Sundberg, Sales Manager for Planmeca Group’s veterinary
in the operation. The mobile Planmeca ProX intraoral unit proved solutions, recapped. ◢
functional in the small space of the polar bear’s den where the
equipment needed to be moved in and out quickly. Board-certified Veterinary Dental Specialists Helena Kuntsi and Hanne
Kortegaard and veterinarian Anne Karttimo-Mäkynen after the success-
ful operation.
Ranua Wildlife Park Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
Ranua Wildlife Park, established in 1983, specialises in Polar bear is the largest land carnivore currently in existence.
arctic and northern animal species. Female polar bear Adult male polar bear can measure up to three meters
Venus and her son Sisu are two of the 200+ inhabitants and weigh up to 600kg. The marine mammal is a skilled
residing in the park. The wildlife park is located in Finnish swimmer and perfectly adapted to living in the Arctic areas.
Lapland, in the middle of northern conifer forests, which The polar bear is listed as a threatened species due to the
is the natural habitat of most of the park’s animals. recent decline of its population as a result of climate change.
www.ranuazoo.com
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