Alabama zoo bird thrives with new prosthetic beak created by dentistry school
Reports indicate he is eating, interacting, socializing and flying normally.
Ethan Parker 
Innovation has taken flight at the Birmingham Zoo, where a remarkable partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry has provided a new lease on life for a green aracari named Beauregard.
A High-Tech Solution for a Serious Injury
When Beauregard sustained a significant injury to his upper beak, or rhinotheca, at just three months old, his ability to eat and socialize was placed in jeopardy. Facing this challenge, animal health experts at the Birmingham Zoo turned to the experts at UAB for a specialized prosthetic solution.
Crafting the Perfect Fit
A specialized team, featuring dental prosthetist Chris Seidenfaden, maxillofacial prosthodontist Michael Kase, D.M.D., and oral surgeon Jay Ponto, M.D., D.D.S., took on the complex case. The team utilized standard dental impression materials to mold the bird's beak before using a dental articulator—the same tool typically used for creating dentures and crowns—to engineer a precise prosthetic.
The design team went above and beyond to ensure the prosthetic was perfectly weighted to allow for normal flight mechanics and mobility. Additionally, they carefully color-matched the piece to Beauregard’s natural pattern. Because birds perceive the world in full color and even within the UV spectrum, this attention to detail helped prevent potential social friction with other birds.
Thriving Today
Now approximately 11 months old, Beauregard has fully acclimated to his new beak. According to reports from 205focus.com, the resilient bird is back to living a normal life, successfully eating, interacting, and flying with his flock once again.
