(WILX/NBC News) Ulana, a lion at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan is on the mend after a root canal.
Veterinarians say like humans, dental health is important to an animal's well being.
"It really does improve the overall health of the animal by cleaning their teeth and keeps them as healthy as possible," Dr. Ronan Eustace says.
Still, the task isn't easy.
Eustace was just one of the veterinarians that assisted in the Ulana's root canal, which is something that isn't uncommon.
"Sometimes their teeth can get a bit weaker and they can be more predisposed to being damaged and they like to chew on big bones, or sometimes they will break them on the big bones."
