See How a Polar Bear Visits the Dentist

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

ByGILLIAN MOHNEY
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.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Facebook

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.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Facebook

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.

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