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. [1] [2] They tend to occur in elderly individuals. [3] [4]
They may be visible on a radiograph (x-ray). [2] They may appear singly or in groups, [1] and are most commonly found at the tip of the root. [6] Their size is variable, [5] but generally they are small (about 0.2 mm [6] – 0.3 mm in diameter). [5]
Cementicles are usually acellular, and may contain either fibrillar or afibrillar cementum, or a mixture of both. [5] Cementicles are the result of dystrophic calcification, [5] but the reason why this takes place is unclear. [3] 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. [5] Examples of how cementicles are thought to form include:
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. [1] [2] They tend to occur in elderly individuals. [3] [4]
They may be visible on a radiograph (x-ray). [2] They may appear singly or in groups, [1] and are most commonly found at the tip of the root. [6] Their size is variable, [5] but generally they are small (about 0.2 mm [6] – 0.3 mm in diameter). [5]
Cementicles are usually acellular, and may contain either fibrillar or afibrillar cementum, or a mixture of both. [5] Cementicles are the result of dystrophic calcification, [5] but the reason why this takes place is unclear. [3] 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. [5] Examples of how cementicles are thought to form include: