According to MacNeil in 1993 cementum is avascular, has no innervaton, does not undergo significant remodeling , but it does undergo continuous slow deposition of cementum. Zander and Hurzeler stated that cementum is formed as a continuous process thoughout life and has been found to be tripled in thickness between the ages of 20 and 60 yr. Thickness varies, with a maxium at the apex and a minimum near the cementoenamel junction. While acellular in the coronal portion of the root, cementum in the apical half is both acellular and cellular. The cellular layer contains living cells, cementocytes, and is typically found in hypercementosis. The main function of cementum in health is to attach periodontal ligament fibers to the root surface while after disease, cementum is thought to contribute to repair. When compare to bone and dentin formation little is know about molecuar factors which regulate development/repair of cementum. Cemental apposition may be influenced by function, occlusion and pathologic processes. Hurzeler and Zander have shown that teeth affected by periodontal disease to have thinner cementum than healthy teeth; While Weinmann and Solheim state that their observations are just the opposite. Functional teeth are furnished with less cementum than non-occluding teeth - while impacted teeth seem to have less cementum than funcitonal teeth Some studies suggest that without the presence of cementum the periodontium cannot be restored to health, Page '86 Lindskog '83. Thus, a requirement for clinical regeneration of the periodontium, i.e. formation of new bone, new cementum and connective tissue attachment, may include treatments directed at stimulating or augmenting cementum formation.
Age as assessed by cementum is controversial and can be left for futher discussion with the literature review on age.
Back: Cementum Articles Menu: Literature Review Topics Home: PIC Homepage