Cementum
Pronunciation: seh-MEN-tum
The calcified connective tissue covering the root surface of a tooth, providing attachment for periodontal ligament fibres.
Full Definition
Cementum is a hard, avascular tissue produced by cementoblasts and classified as acellular (primary) or cellular (secondary). Acellular cementum covers the coronal two-thirds of the root and is principally involved in tooth attachment, while cellular cementum at the root apex is thicker and capable of limited repair. Editors must not confuse cementum with enamel (which covers the crown) or dentine (which forms the tooth bulk). The term appears in periodontal, endodontic, and restorative literature, particularly in discussions of root surface conditioning and attachment loss.
Usage
Usage note: Note the accepted British spelling 'cementum' in clinical literature; do not use 'cement' as a shorthand in histological or anatomical contexts, where it refers to a dental material.
In Context
- "Scaling and root planing aims to remove calculus and diseased cementum to create a biologically compatible root surface." — Non-surgical periodontal therapy protocol
- "The cementoenamel junction (CEJ) serves as a reproducible anatomical landmark for measuring clinical attachment level." — Periodontal assessment guide