Microscopic Differences in Cementum Structure and Mineral Composition of Teeth Extracted from Patients with Gingivitis, Chronic Periodontitis and Aggressive Periodontitis. A Preliminary Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: During the progression of periodontal diseases, cementum undergoes alterations in its structure and mineral composition. Aim: To detect different alterations in structure and mineral composition of cementum according to different periodontal statuses. Subjects and Methods: A true experimental study carried out among six extracted human teeth (One gingivitis of badly decayed tooth (used as control), two chronic periodontitis and three aggressive periodontitis (teeth were extracted due to severe bone loss and mobility). Specimens were taken from different parts of the cementum of the extracted teeth. Each specimen was put in one millilitre of sodium hypochlorite 10 % concentration for 24 hours, then dehydrated by 100% alcohol for half an hour and cementum structures was examined under Scanning Electron Microscope. Student t-test was used to determine the difference between the groups with the level of significance set at P value ≤0.05. Results: There is difference in structure and minerals components of cementum between the specimens of gingivitis, chronic and aggressive periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis has higher amount of minerals with cracks on cementum. Aggressive periodontitis has hypoplasia in cementum, cracks and there is unequal distribution of phosphate and calcium on cemental surface. Conclusion: Different diseases in the periodontium can cause different changes in cementum structure and minerals composition.