Cementum is a yellowish layer of connective tissue that covers the root of a tooth, protecting it and helping to hold it in place. It is softer than enamel and dentin, and is constantly produced by cementoblasts. There are three types of cementum, and gum recession can expose it, leading to erosion and tooth loss.
Cementum is the part of a human tooth that is the layer of stiff connective tissue under the gumline that covers the root. It is thickest at the bottom of the tooth. The primary functions of cementum are to protect the root and help hold the tooth firmly in the gingival socket.
Yellowish in color, this fabric has a dull surface. It is softer than the dentin and enamel covering the exposed part of the tooth. The fibers of the periodontal membrane – the fleshy tissue between the tooth and the gum socket – are embedded in the cementum. As the crown of the tooth wears away with age, specialized cementoblastic cells are stimulated to produce new tissue around the tooth root.
Cementoblasts are created within the dental pulp, the mass of blood vessels and nerves located in the inner center of the tooth. Cells are constantly creating new cement because it is not as durable as enamel. Conversely, enamel is only produced during fetal development.
Cement is similar to bone in that it contains calcium; but, unlike bone, it is avascular. This means that it is not supplied by blood vessels. The tissue can easily be worn away or destroyed, and replacing it ensures that the periodontal ligaments are continually strengthened to keep the tooth firmly in place over time.
There are three different types of concrete. The acellular cement covers approximately one-third of the tooth adjacent to the enamel interface. The afibrillar cementum is a small layer that can extend from the acellular cementum to the enamel. Cellular cement is the thickest layer, covering approximately the bottom two-thirds of the root.
The main health risk of this tissue is gum recession. This generally occurs after the age of 40 and is due to excessively hard brushing or the early stages of gum disease. With gum recession, gum tissue moves away from the tooth and begins to expose the cementum and root.
This tissue is thinnest at the interface with the enamel, which is generally the area that is exposed. This makes it highly vulnerable to erosion during brushing. Erosion can cause tooth sensitivity, lead to tooth decay, and cause root damage. Excessive damage can cause tooth loss by loosening the periodontal ligaments that hold the tooth in place.
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