Bob, a Keel-billed Toucan at the National Aviary located in Pittsburgh, Pa., has a long and healthy life ahead thanks to an unprecedented collaboration between pediatric dentist Dr. Mark M. Pechersky, DMD, and National Aviary Director of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Pilar Fish.
The toucan, named Bob, had incurred an impact injury to his bill that caused cracks and deep fissures to form. With the bill thus weakened, it was likely that a section would snap off in time, leaving Bob unable to feed himself.
After hearing about Dr. Fish’s work at the National Aviary, Dr. Pechersky offered to lend his expertise in dental pediatrics, and to train Dr. Fish in the use of the latest dental bonding materials.
In a procedure lasting approximately 30 minutes, Dr. Pechersky and Dr. Fish applied a dental bonding agent onto the bill, dried the agent with an air compressor, and solidified the new surface with a dental ultraviolet light. A waxy dental composite resin was then molded and pressed into the deeper cracks of the bill to fill and bridge the indentations caused by the injury. The ultraviolet light was applied again, with the final result a smooth, hard, glossy surface that will hold for years to come.
Bob remained awake and calm throughout the procedure, held carefully by National Aviary veterinary technicians. He is now back in his exhibit where he can be seen tossing back grapes and preening his glossy feathers in classic toucan style.
Learn more about the National Aviary at www.aviary.org or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NationalAviary/