X-rays confirm pioneering dental surgery at Chester Zoo cured a sloth’s toothache.
A rare two-toed sloth, called Rico, has undergone pioneering dental surgery at Chester Zoo to cure his toothache.
A recent health check has confirmed that pioneering surgery to cure a sloth’s toothache has been successful.
Amazing images captured at Chester Zoo show the moment two-toed sloth Rico willingly clambered in front of an X-ray machine for a once-over.
Keepers at the zoo were the first to spot that 25-year-old sloth had swellings on the side of his face.
A series of health check-ups, including a CT scan, carried out by the zoo’s team of vets, revealed that Rico had two root abscesses and so experts from Newcastle University were called in to perform an endodontic procedure.
The three-hour long surgery was conducted inside the zoo’s on-site animal care centre where the specialist team removed infected tissue surrounding two of the sloth’s teeth – large triangular molars with a crooked tips which are specially evolved for the sloth’s diet of tough leaves and vegetables.
They managed to save the tooth and stop any infection spreading. Dental issues have been known to recur, so Rico has been regularly monitored since the surgery.
Unlike a typical root canal, the dental experts went in through the bottom of Rico’s tooth, through the side of his mandible.
Dave Edwards, Clinical Fellow at Newcastle University’s School of Dental Sciences, who also works at Newcastle Hospitals’ Dental Hospital, said: “A three-dimensional scan showed that routine root canal treatment would not be possible, therefore we undertook surgery to debride the abscess and complete an ‘apicectomy’.
“Both abscesses cleared up within a week, and it’s great that Rico remains free of any issues.
“It was very challenging working on a sloth due to their unique anatomy, but also a very rewarding experience!”
Brittany Williams, a Keeper on the Twilight Team at Chester Zoo, has patiently worked with him over several years to acclimatise him to being checked for lumps and bumps and to keep his mouth open so his teeth can be inspected.
“He goes at his own pace,” Brittany laughed, when Rico spent a few minutes yawning and blinking before heading to his health check.
“But I don’t mind working at sloth speed.”
Fiona Beddis, dentist and Associate Clinical Lecturer at the Newcastle University Department of Restorative Dentistry, said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to treat Rico.
She said: “It’s a great privilege to treat such a rare and beautiful animal.
“I felt great empathy with Rico as I underwent the same procedure on my front tooth when I was 16 years old and this in fact inspired me to become a dentist. Rico experienced much less post-operative swelling than I did!
“Having never carried out this procedure on a sloth, it really was a step into the unknown, so we are all delighted with the successful outcome.”