Cementicle

Cementicle
Cementicle
Specialty	Dentistry

A cementicle is a small, spherical or ovoid calcified mass embedded within or attached to the cementum layer on the root surface of a tooth, or lying free within the periodontal ligament. They tend to occur in senior population.

There are 3 types:

Free cementicle – not attached to cementum
Attached (sessile) cementicle – attached to the cementum surface (also termed exocementosis)
Embedded (interstitial) cementicle – with advancing age the cementum thickens, and the cementicle may become incorporated into the cementum layer

They may be visible on a radiograph (x-ray). They may appear singly or in groups, and are most commonly found at the tip of the root. Their size is variable, but generally they are small (about 0.2 mm – 0.3 mm in diameter).

Cementicles are usually acellular, and may contain either fibrillar or afibrillar cementum, or a mixture of both. Cementicles are the result of dystrophic calcification, but the reason why this takes place is unclear. Cementicles are thought to form when calcification occurs around a nidus, a precipitating center. Around this nidus they slowly enlarge by further deposition of calcium salts. Examples of how cementicles are thought to form include:

Calcification due to degenerative changes in the epithelial cell rests of Malassez
Calcification of thrombosed (blocked) capillaries in the periodontal ligament (i.e. a phlebolith)
Microtrauma to Sharpey's fibres causes small spicules of cementum or alveolar bone to splinter into the periodontal membrane Some do not consider these as true cementicles.

References

1 2 Chiego Jr. DJ (14 April 2014). Essentials of Oral Histology and Embryology: A Clinical Approach. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-323-29100-2.
1 2 3 Fehrenbach MJ; Popowics T. Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy (2026 ed.). Elsevier. p. 196. ISBN 9780443104244.
1 2 3 4 Kumar GS (10 February 2014). Orban's Oral Histology & Embryology. Elsevier Health Sciences APAC. p. 196. ISBN 978-81-312-3801-1.
1 2 Mosby (1 August 2013). Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 115. ISBN 978-0-323-10013-7.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Ghom A; Mhaske S (17 September 2010). Textbook of Oral Pathology. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. p. 122. ISBN 978-81-8448-402-1.
1 2 3 4 Chatterjee K (1 December 2006). Essentials of Oral Histology. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. p. 112. ISBN 978-81-8061-865-9.

External links

[Chiego2014-1] 1 2 Chiego Jr. DJ (14 April 2014). Essentials of Oral Histology and Embryology: A Clinical Approach. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-323-29100-2.

[Fehrenbach2026-2] 1 2 3 Fehrenbach MJ; Popowics T. Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy (2026 ed.). Elsevier. p. 196. ISBN 9780443104244.

[Kumar2014-3] 1 2 3 4 Kumar GS (10 February 2014). Orban's Oral Histology & Embryology. Elsevier Health Sciences APAC. p. 196. ISBN 978-81-312-3801-1.

[Mosby2013-4] 1 2 Mosby (1 August 2013). Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 115. ISBN 978-0-323-10013-7.

[Ghom2010-5] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Ghom A; Mhaske S (17 September 2010). Textbook of Oral Pathology. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. p. 122. ISBN 978-81-8448-402-1.

[Chatterjee2006-6] 1 2 3 4 Chatterjee K (1 December 2006). Essentials of Oral Histology. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. p. 112. ISBN 978-81-8061-865-9.