Cementicle
Lua error in Module:Infobox at line 235: malformed pattern (missing ']').
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]
- Free cementicle - not attached to cementum[5]
- Attached (sessile) cementicle - attached to the cementum surface[5] (also termed exocementosis)[3]
- Embedded (interstitial) cementicle - with advancing age the cementum thickens,[3] and the cementicle may become incorporated into the cementum layer[5]
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:
- Calcification due to degenerative changes in the epithelial cell rests of Malassez[5]
- Calcification of thrombosed (blocked) capillaries in the periodontal ligament[5] (i.e. a phlebolith)[6]
- Microtrauma to Sharpey's fibres[2] causes small spicules of cementum or alveolar bone to splinter into the periodontal membrane[4] Some do not consider these as true cementicles.[5]
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.
<references />, or <references group="..." />- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
