Root cementum ultrastructure in healthy and periodontally diseased teeth

Abstract

Relevance. Investigation of the root cementum ultrastructure in chronic generalized periodontitis is still relevant as changes in structure and composition of root cementum play a significant role in successful periodontal regeneration. Am is to study changes in the root cementum ultrastructure in patients with chronic generalized periodontitis.Materials and methods. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the cementum surface of 9 teeth extracted due to severe chronic generalized periodontitis and 3 teeth with a clinically healthy periodontium extracted for orthodontic reasons. 3D visualization of the received SEM images was performed.Results. The cementum of periodontally healthy teeth appeared homogeneous and regular,was covered in periodontal fibers and had a pebble-like or dome-shaped surface. In chronic periodontitis patients, the cementum surface was mostly irregular with multiple defects of various depth, areas of completely destroyed cementum, exposed dentinal tubules and a complete absence of periodontal fibers.Conclusion. Loss of periodontal attachment and root cementum exposure to microbial biofilm may result in irreversible structural changes of the surface which may affect the regeneration of clinical attachment.