On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, the Metro Richmond Zoo performed a root canal on Kip, a twenty year old, 165 pound, male chimpanzee.
Earlier, zookeepers noticed Kip had swelling on the right side of his face. The zoo’s vet team examined Kip’s mouth, discovered his right, upper canine tooth was discolored, and concluded that he needed a root canal.
The zoo called Dr. Bruce Overton, a local endodontist, to complete the procedure. Dr. Overton specializes in root canals for people, but also has the proper equipment and experience to work on animal canine teeth. Dr. Overton has volunteered his services at the zoo before; he has performed root canals on a lion, snow leopard, and two bears throughout the years.
On the afternoon of the procedure, Kip was sedated and transported to the zoo’s animal hospital where the root canal took place. Zoo veterinarians Dr. Cheryl Antonucci and Dr. Kylie Cameron with Emma Enea, the zoo’s vet tech, administered anesthesia and monitored Kip’s vitals during the procedure.
Dr. Overton and his assistant, Theresa Faw, conducted the root canal on Kip. A small opening was drilled into the tooth, infected pulp was removed, and the interior was cleaned, filled, and then sealed.
After the procedure was completed, Kip was transported back to the ape habitat in the zoo.
He recovered from anesthesia in a private, comfortable area and then returned to the chimpanzee troop. His tooth is no longer causing him pain, and he is enjoying life with the group.
Kip was a wonderful patient and the root canal was a great success. The zoo is grateful to Dr. Overton and all medical professionals who are willing to assist the zoo with specialized operations.
