title: Cementum analysis in cleidocranial dysostosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cleidocranial dysostosis (CCD) is a skeletal disorder associated with dental anomalies such as failure or delayed eruption of permanent teeth and multiple impacted supernumerary or permanent teeth. Absence of cellular cementum at the root apex is presumed to be one of the factors for failure or delayed eruption. The aim of this study was to analyze the root cementum of supernumerary(S) and permanent teeth (P) of a CCD patient and to compare the findings with those of normal individuals with special emphasis on delayed eruption.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ground sections of 12 extracted teeth (9S + 3P) of a CCD patient and 12 teeth of normal individuals (5S + 7P) were taken for the study. The sections were longitudinal and 50 microm thick. Root characteristics were recorded with the aid of a light microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The absence of apical cellular cementum, increased root resorption and increased percentage of the gap type of cemento-enamel (C-E) junctions were significant findings noted both in the supernumerary and permanent teeth of the CCD patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presumption of cellular cementum is essential for tooth eruption is not supported by the findings of the present study. Delayed exception could be attributed to various other factors like mechanical obstruction, reduced serum alkaline phosphatase levels etc. Also, the significance of the increased percentage of the gap type of C-E junctions and its role in tooth eruption has to be further evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Pathology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai - 600 095, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Manjunath
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kavitha
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Saraswathi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sivapathasundharam
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manikandhan
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002973:Cleidocranial Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology*; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000473:pathology; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000473:pathology; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000473:pathology; D014078:Tooth Eruption; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000473:pathology; D014096:Tooth, Supernumerary / Q000473:pathology