Definition and Types of Cementicles
- Cementicle is a calcified mass in or attached to the cementum layer on a tooth's root surface.
- There are 3 types: free cementicle, attached (sessile) cementicle, and embedded (interstitial) cementicle.
- Free cementicles are not attached to cementum.
- Attached cementicles are attached to the cementum surface (also known as exocementosis).
- Embedded cementicles are incorporated into the cementum layer with age.
Appearance and Location of Cementicles
- Cementicles may be visible on a radiograph (x-ray).
- They can appear singly or in groups.
- Most commonly found at the tip of the root.
- Size varies, but generally small (about 0.2 mm – 0.3 mm in diameter).
- Cementicles are usually acellular.
Composition of Cementicles
- Cementicles may contain fibrillar or afibrillar cementum, or a mixture of both.
- They result from dystrophic calcification.
- The reason for their formation is unclear.
- Calcification may occur around a nidus, a precipitating center.
- Further deposition of calcium salts leads to their enlargement.
Formation of Cementicles
- Examples of how cementicles form include calcification of epithelial cell rests of Malassez.
- Calcification of thrombosed (blocked) capillaries in the periodontal ligament (phlebolith).
- Microtrauma to Sharpeys fibres causes small spicules of cementum or alveolar bone to splinter into the periodontal membrane.
- Some do not consider these as true cementicles.
- The formation process is still not fully understood.
References
- Chiego Jr. DJ, Essentials of Oral Histology and Embryology: A Clinical Approach.
- Bath-Balogh M, Fehrenbach MJ, Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy.
- Kumar GS, Orbans Oral Histology & Embryology.
- Mosby, Mosbys Dental Dictionary.
- Ghom A, Mhaske S, Textbook of Oral Pathology.
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 elderly individuals.
| Cementicle | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Dentistry |
There are 3 types:
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:
cementicle (plural cementicles)
