Tuan Tuan, a giant panda at Taipei Zoo, has been given a tooth cap made of titanium, the world’s first for a panda and a milestone in wildlife medical care.

In early December, zookeepers discovered that Tuan Tuan’s upper left canine tooth was bleeding and broken. If left untreated, this could carry a risk of infection and mean the panda might not be able to break down bamboo with his teeth. So the zoo decided to fit Tuan Tuan with a dental cap.

Taipei Zoo made a model and ordered a custom-made cap made of titanium. In late December, nearly 20 medical workers, including vets, dentists and anesthetists, worked together to fit the cap in Tuan Tuan’s mouth.