Cementoenamel junction of : SEM-morphology E. CEPPI**, S. DALL’OCA*, L. RIMONDINI***, A. PILLONI**, A. POLIMENI*

ABSTRACT.Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the cementoenamel junction of a group of 11 primary sound mandibular extracted for orthodontic reasons. Materials and methods Eleven caries and defect- free human inferior deciduous incisors were extracted for orthodontic reasons and the cementoenamel junction was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The types of tissue interrelations were classified in four possible categories: 1) and enamel edge-to-edge, 2) cementum overlapped by enamel, 3) enamel overlapped by cementum, 4) presence of exposed between enamel and cementum. Results In our observations root cementum and enamel edge-to-edge interrelation was the most frequent feature observed in overall sample, root cementum overlapping enamel tissues was observed in more than one third of the cementoenamel junction area, exposed dentin was a rare observation. In few, small and rare areas enamel overlapped cementum. Further studies could determine statistical prevalence. Conclusion The cementoenamel junction of primary teeth differs from that of , the scarcity of gaps between cementum and enamel, the epithelial junction at the equator of the and the globosity of the crown are probable protective factors toward decay susceptibility.

KEYWORDS: Cementoenamel junction, Deciduous teeth, Cervical wear, Cervical decay, SEM.

Introduction 2003; Dejak et al., 2005; Larsen et al., 2005, Walters, The cementoenamel junction represents the anatomic 2005; Ceruti et al., 2006; Tanaka et al., 2006]. limit between crown and root surface. In this area three Information on cementoenamel junction of primary types of mineralised tissues are present: enamel, teeth is limited. Leonardi et al.[1996] investigated this cementum and dentin. In permanent teeth the area by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) distribution of these hard tissues is unpredictable and and highlighted, in the specimens they observed, 26 irregular in any one individual tooth. Three types of carious and non-carious human maxillary and possible tissue interrelation have been described: mandibular primary teeth, a prevalence of overlapping enamel overlapped by cementum, the most frequent cementum on the enamel and an edge-to-edge condition (65%); enamel and cementum edge-to-edge relationship. No gaps between enamel and cementum (30%); cementum and enamel not in contact with a were observed. The cementoenamel junction appeared strip of exposed dentin [Neuvald and Consolaro, as a sinuous band 40-60 µm broad and the cementum 2000]. was reported to be acellular, as in permanent teeth, but The morphology of the cementoenamel junction in thinner and rough. Near the cementoenamel junction permanent teeth is of great interest as it is correlated calcium spherites were observed with diameter from 2 with dental sensitivity, susceptibility to non-carious to 10 µm. Bimstein et al. reported that on the root cervical loss (erosion, abrasion and ) and surfaces of 2 primary teeth without evidence of adhesion problems in restorations [Rees, 2006; Staninec periodontitis and extracted for orthodontic reasons, no et al., 2005; Vanuspong et al., 2002; De Las Casa et al., resorption lacunae nor cuticle or bacteria were found. At the cementoenamel junction area of teeth from

University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Italy children with prepubertal periodontitis they *Department of Paediatric Dentistry highlighted dense colonies of short and long filaments, **Department of Periodontology ***University of Eastern Piedmont, Italy resorption lacunae and crystals of calcium oxalate dihydrate (4 to 5 µm) [Bimstein et al., 1998]. E-mail: [email protected] In permanent teeth the cementoenamel junction is

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placed at the bottom of the gingival sulcus, in Microphotographs were taken at different deciduous teeth the junction is more apical as the magnifications (1000X, 2000X, 4500X) of the epithelial junction is at the equator of the crown. This cementoenamel junction all along the circumference anatomical feature and the ultrastructural peculiarities of the teeth. of cementoenamel junction could be protective The types of tissue interrelations were classified in conditions toward decay of the cervical region and four possible categories: cementum and enamel edge- dentinal sensitivity that are in fact rarely observed in to-edge; cementum overlapped by enamel; enamel primary dentition [Leonardi et al., 1996]. overlapped by cementum; presence of exposed dentin The aim of this study was to investigate the between enamel and cementum. cementoenamel junction of a group of 11 primary sound mandibular incisors extracted for orthodontic reasons from healthy children. Results The distribution of the mineralised tissues that composes the cementoenamel junction was irregular. Materials and methods In our observations root cementum and enamel edge- Eleven caries and defect-free human inferior to-edge interrelation was the most frequent feature deciduous incisors were extracted for orthodontic observed in overall sample (Fig. 1), root cementum reasons with no inflammation of the periodontal overlapping enamel tissues was observed in more than ligament and/or the from patients not affected by one third of the cementoenamel junction area (Fig. 2), systemic or genetic diseases. The teeth selected exposed dentin was a rare observation (Fig. 3a, 3b). In presented more than half root not yet resorbed. few, small and rare areas enamel overlapped The teeth were gently washed in NaOCl 5% solution cementum (Fig. 4). The cementoenamel junction for 60 seconds and then in 3% H2O2 in order to expose appeared as a sinuous line. Cervical cementum mineralised tissues and provide disinfection. Then, the appeared rough owing to the presence of calcified specimens were washed with water, dehydrated in Sharpey’s fibers that Leonardi et al. called calcium ascending ethanol concentrations (70, 80, 90, 100%) spherites [Leonardi et al., 1996]. No resorption and finally dried in air. lacunae were observed in the enamel or in the cervical The specimens were mounted on aluminum stubs, cementum. sputter-coated with a palladium-gold alloy by means of the Sputter Coater device (Coating unit E5100, Polaron Equipment Ltd. Watford Hertfordshire, UK) Discussion and investigated with SEM (840A, Jeol Corp., Tokio, The selection criteria for the collection of the teeth to Japan). be investigated by SEM in this study were chosen in

FIG. 1 - SEM 2000 X. Cementoenamel junction in inferior FIG. 2 - SEM 2000 X. Cementoenamel junction in inferior deciduous : enamel (E) and cementum (C) are edge- deciduous incisor: cementum on enamel. to-edge..

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FIG. 3A - SEM 2000 X. Cementoenamel junction in FIG. 3B - SEM 4500 X. Larger magnification of the gap inferior deciduous incisor. A gap between cementum(C) between cementum and enamel. and enamel reveals a strip of exposed dentin.

2003; Bimstein et al., 1998; Baroncelli et al, 2006]. Another exclusion criterion was resorption of more than one half of the root as the cementoenamel junction can be altered prior to shedding by the deposition of cementum-like tissue on the resorbed cementum and enamel [Rolling, 1981; Sahara and Ozawa, 2004]. Information on cementoenamel junction of primary teeth is limited [Leonardi et al., 1996; Bimstein et al., 1998] and it is generally focused on pathological conditions. As reported in previous studies regarding permanent and primary teeth [Leonardi et al., 1996; Neuvald and Consolaro, 2000], the distribution of the mineralised tissues at the cementoenamel junction was irregular on any one individual tooth observed. The FIG. 4 - SSEM X4500. Cementoenamel junction in results of our investigation are slightly different from inferior deciduous incisor: cementum (C) overlapped by that of Leonardi, as root cementum and enamel edge- enamel (E).s to-edge interrelation was the most frequent feature observed and root cementum overlapping enamel tissues was observed in more than one third of the order to describe the ultrastructural morphology of the cementoenamel junction area. Leonardi et al. observed cementoenamel junction in sound deciduous teeth. no gaps between enamel and cementum, whilst in our Teeth affected by pathological conditions such as samples exposed dentin was a rare observation. infection and trauma were excluded as these Further studies could determine statistical prevalence. conditions can cause resorption areas on the root A wider sample is necessary to confirm the data surface [Heithersay, 1999; Sahara and Ozawa, 2004]. gathered in this study. Further studies should also be Furthermore, previous studies highlighted that performed to evaluate the cementoenamel junction of localised and generalised juvenile periodontitis, superior incisors, canines and molars with a particular prepubertal periodontitis, hypophosphatasia, Papillon- attention to selection criteria for the collection of the Lèfevre syndrome and leukocyte adhesion deficiency teeth to be investigated. are related to irregularities in the cementum surface, The cementoenamel junction of primary teeth differs cementum hypoplasia/aplasia and cementum width from that of permanent ones: the scarcity of gaps [Waldrop et al., 1995; Sixou et al., 1997; Yawaka et al., between cementum and enamel, the epithelial junction

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