*****
Summary of Transcript:
The video discusses a rare primate species at the Denver Zoo known for their extra-long finger and rodent-like incisors that are continuously growing. The five-year-old female, Tonks, developed an infection in both of her lower incisors, which took up a large portion of her lower jaw and extracting them would hurt her quality of life. The veterinary team tried vital pulp therapy, which involved removing the infected section of the tooth and saving the rest to continue growing. The treatment appears successful, and Tonks can return to normal incisors. The Denver Zoo’s commitment to pioneering medical solutions with the help of experts enables them to give animals their best life.
*****
Summary of Description:
Tonks, a critically endangered aye-aye, had an infection in her lower jaw, threatening her continuously growing incisor teeth. The animal care specialists and veterinary medicine teams had to work fast to save her teeth, and after collaborating with other experts and two procedures, Tonks is now fully recovered. The animal health team will continue to monitor her teeth growth and ensure the infection stays away. The innovative treatment plan used to save Tonks’ teeth will be covered in the latest Best Life, presented by Cigna Healthcare, hosted by Carlie McGuire and Veterinary Dr. Jennifer Hausmann.
*****
The Tale of Tonks: Saving a Critically Endangered Aye-Aye’s Teeth
A five-year-old aye-aye, Tonks is one of the world’s most critically endangered primates. When Tonks developed an infection in her lower jaw, animal care specialists and veterinary medicine teams at the Duke Lemur Center had to act fast to save her incisor teeth, which grow continuously throughout her lifetime and are crucial to her survival. In this article, we’ll delve into Tonks’ innovative treatment plan, which involved collaborating with field experts to save her teeth and, ultimately, her life.
Aye-Ayes and Their Unique Teeth
Aye-ayes are nocturnal primates found only in Madagascar. They have elongated middle fingers that they use to tap on trees, listening for the echo that signals a wood-boring insect’s location. Once found, they use those same fingers to gnaw into the wood and use their long, thin incisor teeth to dig out the insect. Aye-ayes have incisor teeth that grow continuously, much like rodents. Their lower incisors take longer to erupt than their uppers, which is also longer by adulthood. For Tonks, this was a crucial factor in her treatment plan.
Spotting Tonks’ Infection
In July 2020, Tonks’ caretakers noticed that she lumped her lower jaw, indicating a possible tooth root abscess. Animal care specialists and veterinary medicine teams at the Duke Lemur Center immediately began developing a treatment plan to save her teeth and prevent infection.
Tonks’ Innovative Treatment Plan
The Duke Lemur Center veterinary team began by consulting with Dr. Gary West, a renowned dentist in human endodontic therapy, to determine the best course of action to save Tonks’ teeth. Together, they decided to perform two separate procedures. The first was a pulpectomy, removing Tonks’ infected tooth pulp. The second, a root canal, involved filling and sealing the bare root of the tooth with a bioceramic material.
But the veterinary team had to get creative because Tonks’ lower incisors grew and developed until she was around ten years old. They decided to add a small orthodontic bracket to Tonks’ lower right incisor. They used a chain attached to the bracket to guide the tooth back into place and prevent it from overtaking the other incisors. The chain is slowly adjusted to ensure proper incisor alignment as it grows.
The Result: Better Than Ever
Thanks to the dedicated work of the veterinary team and collaboration with other experts in the field, Tonks is now better than ever. Her teeth are growing correctly, and the infection is gone. The orthodontic bracket and chain will remain in place until Tonks’ lower incisor has reached its full size, and the veterinary team will continue to monitor her to ensure no new infections arise.
Final Thoughts
Tonks’ treatment plan is a testament to the ingenuity of veterinary medicine professionals as they work to save critically endangered animals. Her story shows that collaboration with experts in other fields can lead to innovative solutions that ultimately save lives. As we strive to conserve endangered species like Tonks, it’s essential to remember that every animal deserves access to top-notch medical care, and the Duke Lemur Center is a shining example of that commitment.
*****
Source Description
When our animal care specialists and veterinary medicine teams noticed that Tonks, our five-year-old, critically endangered aye-aye, had an infection in her lower jaw, they had to work quickly and creatively to save her continuously growing incisor teeth. We’re happy to share that after collaboratively working with other experts in the field and two separate procedures, Tonks is now better than ever! Our animal health team will continue monitoring Tonks to ensure her teeth are growing and the infection stays away. Sink your teeth into this latest Best Life, presented by Cigna Healthcare, to learn more about this innovative treatment plan from Host Carlie McGuire and Clinic Veterinary Dr. Jennifer Hausmann.
