CEMENTAL TEAR - A RISK FACTOR IN PERIODONTAL ATTACHMENT LOSS

THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS RETROSPECTIVE STUDY was to evaluate the influenc e of cemental tear as a risk factor in periodontal attachment loss. Se venteen extracted, single-rooted teeth showing loss of attachment and having one cemental tear surface and one opposite intact surface were examined. The teeth were stained in 0.1% toluidine blue to visualize a ttached periodontal ligament remnants and examined in a light microsco pe under incident light. On each tooth, loss of attachment was measure d along the long axis of the root from the cemento-enamel junction to the most coronal level of the periodontal ligament on intact as well a s on defect surfaces. Cemental tear surfaces demonstrated a significan tly greater loss of attachment than opposite intact surfaces (P < 0.00 01). In one specimen, the cemental tear fragment was partially attache d to the root after the extraction procedure. This specimen was proces sed for light microscopy to determine the location of the cemental tea r fracture. Histological examination clearly revealed that the split b etween the root and the fragment had occurred along the cemento-dentin al border. The results indicate that cemental tear should be considere d as a possible etiologic entity in localized rapid periodontal breakd own.