(GULFPORT, Miss.) - Dr. Andy Norowski is using dental techniques to rebuild broken shell of an endangered sea turtle.
The turtle nicknamed "Rocky" is on the mend at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport.
Norowski tells WLOX-TV that the turtle has gone through some adversity including a boat propeller injury and a previous shark bite.
He built a series of acrylic pieces to "get the shell to heal in a more natural, biologic way."
Along with the dental acrylic shell sections, orthodontic appliances are also attached to allow for growth.
Norowski says Rocky is the first turtle he's worked on. He found some advice on the Internet, from a dentist in Florida who had previously worked on rebuilding a turtle shell.
Information from: WLOX-TV, http://www.wlox.com
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
