Photography

ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Medical-team members Allison Case, left, Julie Lemon, holding the tubes delivering oxygen and anesthesia, and Lesanna Lahner, background, attend to Boris, one of three resident polar bears at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium as he received a root canal, eyelid work and an exam Saturday.

ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES

At the end of 4½ hours of procedures, Jim Reed, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, hugs a zoo medical-team member as all 9 feet and 922 pounds of Boris rest on the padded surgery table. Boris was standing two hours after all the work, eating soft foods and receiving painkillers.

ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES