Zander, HA, and Hurzeler, B. Continuous Cementum Apposition. J. Dent. Res., Nov-Dec, 1958.

Aim

1. Is continuous cementum formation a reality?
2. What is the magnitude of apposition?
3. What is the rate of growth?

Methods and materials

• 233 single rooted teeth obtained from subjects 11 to 76 years old.
• Teeth had no pockets or bone loss.
• The teeth were decalcified and sectioned horizontally.
• The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin.
• The sections were magnified 25x, the dentin and the cementum were traced using a file-folder paper. The paper area representing the cementum was weighted in an analytic balance.
• Some areas were chosen for determination of cementum thickness;
  1. apical area
  2. CEJ
  3. middle section of the root

Results

• The cementum thickness in the group <20y/o (54 teeth) was 0.076mm (for the total root), and for the 51-76 y/o group (70 teeth) it was 0.215mm.
• The cementum thickness increase for each area as age increase.
• The increase in the crown end was less than at the apex (the middle very similar to the total root).

Discussion

The apposition of the cementum seems to have been a continuous process throughout the age span studied, with thickness of the tissue increasing in approximately straight line relationship with age. It was interesting to note that the steepness of the line varied considerably with the type of tooth.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated a straight-line relationship between age and cementum thickness. The thickness of the cementum was tripled between the ages 11 to 76. This rate was not the same for every area of the root (more to the apical areas, less in the CEJ).

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