We present a novel odontoscopy-assisted approach to endodontic procedures in bottlenose dolphin carried out under voluntary behavior (training). A 0.89-mm miniature straight forward telescope with 0.2-mm irrigation channel protected by a custom-built sheath made from a modified Veress needle is used to inspect the pulp chamber and apex. This proves to be of great benefit and complement to digital and computed radiography in performing pulpectomies and root canal treatments. Dolphins have a unique dental anatomy and physiology. Their aquatic nature and limitations as anesthetic patients is compensated by a unique medical husbandry paradigm that exists between trainers, veterinarians and dolphins which allows us to carry out an unusual number and variety of invasive dental procedures.
Details of the training and dentistry procedures as well as dentistry-relevant clinical information not currently available are illustrated with the support of pictures and videos.
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