Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Cementicle

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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 elderly individuals.

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

    Cementicle Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA