Research overview: fractured canine teeth in captive big cats

Captive big cats commonly fracture their large canine teeth through biting enclosure barriers, fighting, or chewing hard objects, exposing the pulp and causing pain and infection that require dental intervention such as root canal therapy, crown restoration, or extraction under anesthesia. This overview compiles the zoo-dentistry literature rather than one citation, describing the causes and consequences of canine fractures in lions, tigers, and other felids, why exposed pulp leads to infection and discomfort, and how veterinary dentists adapt techniques to the scale of big-cat teeth. It matters because fractured canines are a frequent and significant welfare problem in captive felids, and specialized dental care preserves these animals' comfort and function, demonstrating how human and small-animal dental techniques are scaled up for the largest patients.