Pictures: Animal Dentistry

A keeper brushes a hippo’s teeth at the Shanghai Zoo November 3, 2010. The hippo has its teeth cleaned three times a week to reduce the chance of mouth diseases, local media reported.  (Stringer/Reuters)

A Colombian vet carries out a dental surgery on a male baboon (Papio Hamadryas) at the Santa Fe Zoo in Medellin June 9, 2010.  (Fredy Amariles/Reuters)

Reyna, a female jaguar, receives dental treatment at a veterinary clinic in Envigago near Medellin March 13, 2010. Reyna is homed at Santafe Zoo in Medellin after being rescued a year ago.  (Albeiro Lopera/Reuters)

Reyna, a female jaguar, receives dental treatment at a veterinary clinic in Envigago near Medellin March 13, 2010. Reyna is homed at Santafe Zoo in Medellin after being rescued a year ago.  (Albeiro Lopera/Reuters)

A veterinarian prepares a hippopotamus, known as “Orion,” for dental treatment at the Zoo Santa Fe in Medellin January 27, 2010. The hippo was born in the private Hacienda Napoles ranch which belonged to Pablo Escobar.  (Albeiro Lopera/Reuters)

Dr. Anson Tsugawa shows where two lower teeth are striking the upper jaw as he prepares to install a bite plate to correct mal-positioned teeth of Anderl, a German Shepard, in Los Angeles, California September 28, 2006.   (Phil McCarten/Reuters)

Dr. Anson Tsugawa uses wire to create a framework for support as he installs a bite plate to correct mal-positioned teeth of Anderl, a German Shepard, in Los Angeles, California September 28, 2006.   (Phil McCarten/Reuters)

Dr. Anson Tsugawa uses wire to create a framework for support as he installs a bite plate to correct mal-positioned teeth of Anderl, a German Shepard, in Los Angeles, California September 28, 2006.   (Phil McCarten/Reuters)