See How a Polar Bear Visits the Dentist

Boris the polar bear had an extra-large tooth pulled.

ByABC News
February 7, 2015, 1:19 PM

— -- Turns out even polar bears can get a toothache.

Boris, an elderly polar bear at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, is recovering after having a large tooth pulled.

PHOTO: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium posted this photo to their Facebook showing Boris, the 29-year-old polar bear undergoing dental surgery.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium posted this photo to their Facebook showing Boris, the 29-year-old polar bear undergoing dental surgery.

The bear had to undergo a three-hour procedure to remove the fractured and abscessed canine tooth. After getting the painful tooth removed, the bear was placed on a strict diet of soft foods.

PHOTO: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium posted this photo to their Facebook showing Boris, the 29-year-old polar bear undergoing dental surgery.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium posted this photo to their Facebook showing Boris, the 29-year-old polar bear undergoing dental surgery.

This is not Boris' first trip to the dentist. At 29 years old, the polar bear is one of the oldest in captivity and has already undergone a few root canals, according to ABC News affiliate KOMO-TV in Seattle.

Boris has been a resident at the zoo since 2002, according to KOMO-TV.