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Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2014 May, Vol-8(5): ZD16-ZD17
1616
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/8987.4367
Case Report
Localized Multiple Cemental
Excrescences: A Rare Presentation
of Hypercementosis
Dentistry Section
NADEEM JEDDY1, RADHIKA T.2, KRITHIKA C.3, SARAVANAN R.4, RAMACHANDRAN PRABAKAR5
Keywords: Hypercementosis, Localized, Cemental spikes
CASE REPORT
A 24-year-old male patient reported to a private Dental clinic for oral
prophylaxis. He also complained of pain in right lower back region
due to impingement of right upper back tooth on the mucosa of
the lower jaw. On intraoral examination, it was noted that 18 was
impinging on the mandibular alveolar mucosa distal to 47 during
occlusion. 38 and 48 were impacted. OPG revealed mesioangular
impaction of both mandibular third molars. Maxillary third molars
were completely erupted [Table/Fig-1]. His medical history was
noncontributory and vital signs were normal. Patient did not give
a history of any orthodontic treatment or any other major dental
procedures. His haemogram and blood sugar values were normal.
Extraction of all four third molars was planned. When extraction of
18 was attempted, there was resistance to the movement of the
tooth upon traction; but it was carefully and patiently manipulated
out of the socket and removed in toto. However, morphology of
all third molars appeared apparently normal on the pre-operative
radiograph and there was no associated pathology. The extracted
tooth in this case showed multiple calcified spike like projections (6
in number) on the mesiobuccal and distobuccal roots of 18 [Table/
Fig-2]. These spikes were seen on the buccal and palatal aspects
as well as the middle and apical thirds of both the buccal roots; the
palatal root however, did not have any cemental spikes. Intra oral
digital radiograph of the extracted tooth was taken to confirm the
nature of the spikes. The radiograph confirmed the presence of spike
like projections which were continuous with the external surface of
the root suggesting their origin from the cementum [Table/Fig-3].
The tooth showed no evidence of caries or attrition and appeared
ABSTRACT
Hypercementosis is an abnormal thickening of cementum which may be generalized or localized. Localized hypercementosis is usually
characterized by nodular enlargement of apical third of root. Hypercementosis in the form of multiple cemental spikes distributed throughout
the entire length of root is a very rare finding. In this article, we report such a rare manifestation of localized hypercementosis affecting
right maxillary third molar in a 24-year-old male. This finding was an accidental observation following a difficult extraction procedure as
the spikes were not evident in the orthopantamogram. It is imperative that every dental practitioner be aware of several presentations of
hypercementosis and ensure that such an entity is considered in the differential diagnosis of difficult extraction procedures as an Intraoral
Periapical (IOPA) radiograph or even an Orthopantamogram (OPG) could not differentiate the root morphology.
[Table/Fig-1]: Pre-operative panoramic radiograph showing erupted 18, 28, and
impacted 38, 48. All third molars appear apparently normal in morphology
[Table/Fig-2]: Extracted right upper third molar as viewed from the mesial aspect,
showing the presence of multiple cemental spikes on the buccal and palatal
aspects of the buccal roots.
[Table/Fig-3]: Digital intra oral radiograph showing the spikes which is continuous
with the cementum.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2014 May, Vol-8(5): ZD16-ZD17 1717
www.jcdr.net Nadeem Jeddy et al., A Rare Presentation of Hypercementosis
Keywords: Hypercementosis, Localized, Cemental spikes
otherwise normal. Serial estimation of serum calcium, phosphorus,
alkaline phosphatase, T3, T4 and TSH levels were normal. The
extraction site healed uneventfully and there was no post- operative
complication.
DISCUSSION
Hypercementosis refers to an abnormal and prominent thickening
of cementum. It is a form of cemental hyperplasia which can
be generalized or localized. Generalized hypercementosis is
characterized by increased thickness of cementum involving all
teeth and is a classical feature of Paget’s disease. Other systemic
disturbances associated with hypercementosis include acromegaly,
arthritis, calcinosis, rheumatic fever and thyroid goiter [1].
Localized hypercementosis affects single tooth and usually presents
as generalized thickening of cementum with nodular thickening
of apical third of root. Cemental excrescences in the form of
spikes are an uncommon condition and a rare manifestation of
hypercementosis characterized by presence of small spikes or
outgrowths of cementum on root surface [2].
Cementum is a calcified avascular mesenchymal tissue that forms
outer covering of anatomic root of a tooth [3]. Abnormalities in
the thickness of cementum can range from Cemental aplasia or
hypoplasia (absence or paucity of cellular cementum) to Cemental
hyperplasia or hypercementosis (excessive deposition of cementum)
[1].
Hypercementosis is characterized by cementum formation beyond
the physiological limits of the tooth. Hypercementosis usually
occurs as a generalized thickening of the cementum with nodular
enlargement of the apical third of the root. Various reasons attributed
for hypercementosis include functional stress due to occlusal forces
[4], continuous dental eruption [5], incorporation of periodontal
cementicles during physiologic cementum deposition, reactionary
deposition in response to periapical inflammatory processes as well
as systemic factors such as atherosclerosis, acromegaly, deforming
arthritis, hypertrophic arthritis, thyroid diseases and Paget’s disease
[6]. Based on the macroscopic appearance, hypercementosis
is classified as a) Club shaped b) Focal and c) Circular cemental
hyperplasia [7].
Spike formation of cementum is an uncommon condition
characterized by the occurrence of small spikes or outgrowth of
cementum on the root surface. The occurrence of cemental spikes
has been attributed to excessive occlusal stress or excessive tension
from orthodontic appliance probably as a result of deposition of
irregular cementum in a focal group of fibers of the periodontal
ligament or coalescence of cementicles that adhere to the root or
the calcification of periodontal fiber at the site of insertion into the
cementum [8].
Functional stress cannot be considered as an etiological factor in our
case because the opposing mandibular third molar was impacted
and hence was not in occlusion with the tooth in question. Besides,
unlike the first molar, a third molar seldom bears the brunt of the
occlusal stress. The patient has not undergone any orthodontic
treatment which again rules out tension from orthodontic appliance
as an etiologic factor for cemental spikes in the present case. In
tooth without antagonist, hypercementosis usually presents as
nodular thickening of apical third of root and occurs as an attempt
to maintain the width of the periodontal ligament and to compensate
the accelerated eruption of tooth [8]. However, the present report is
also a tooth without antagonist whereas hypercementosis was in
the form of spikes rather than nodular enlargement of apical third of
the root. The fact that these cemental spikes were not visible on the
pre-operative panoramic radiograph added to our clinical dilemma
during the extraction procedure. Since this patient had no obvious
systemic contributory factors, the mechanism of spike formation in
the maxillary third molar in this patient cannot be explained in simple
terms and hence presumed to be idiopathic in nature.
CONCLUSION
This is a rare case of focal hypercementosis in the form of cemental
spikes. Although several cases of focal hypercementosis affecting
a mandibular molar have been reported in literature, our case is
unique in two aspects: firstly in the nature of the hypercementosis,
which was in the form of multiple spikes along the root surface and
secondly in the tooth affected, which was a maxillary third molar out
of occlusion with the opposing tooth.
It is mandatory for every dental practitioner to be aware of such a rare
variety of localized hypercementosis. Cemental spikes, however rare
or undetectable, should be considered in the differential diagnostic
possibilities of any tooth that poses a considerable difficulty during
extraction.
REFERENCES
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6th ed. Noida: Elsevier Publishers: 2009. pp 585-6.
[3] Shantipriya Reddy. Essentials of Clinical Periodontology and Periodontics.2nd ed.
New Delhi: Jaypee Publishers: 2008. pp 26.
[4] Comuzzie AG, Steele DG. Enlarged occlusal surfaces on first molars due to severe
attrition and hypercementosis: examples from prehistoric coastal populations of
Texas. Am J Phys Anthropol.1989; 78:9-15.
[5] Azaz B, Michaeli Y, Nitzan D. Aging of tissues of the roots of nonfunctional human
teeth. Oral Surg. 1977; 43:572-8.
[6] Soni NN. A microradiographic and polarized light study of cementum in Paget’s
disease. J Oral Med. 1969; 24:27-30.
[7] Pinheiro BC, Pinheiro TN, Capelozza ALA, Consolaro A. A scanning electron
microscopic study of hypercementosis. J Appl Oral Sci. 2008; 16(6): 380-4.
[8] Newman MG, Takei H, Klokkevold PR, Fermin A. The normal periodontium. In:
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PARTICULARS OF CONTRIBUTORS:
1. Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology, Thai Moogambigai Dental College, Golden George Nagar, Chennai, India.
2. Reader, Department of Oral Pathology, Thai Moogambigai Dental College, Golden George Nagar, Chennai, India.
3. Reader, Department of Oral Medicine, Thai Moogambigai Dental College, Golden George Nagar, Chennai, India.
4. Professor, Department of Orthodontia, Thai Moogambigai Dental College, Golden George Nagar, Chennai, India.
5. Professor and Head, Department of Orthodontia, Thai Moogambigai Dental College, Golden George Nagar, Chennai, India.
NAME, ADDRESS, E-MAIL ID OF THE CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Dr. Radhika T.,
Reader, Department of Oral Pathology, Thai Moogambigai Dental College, Golden George Nagar, Chennai-600107, India.
Phone: 91-9566016165, E-mail: radhikasashi26@gmail.com
FINANCIAL OR OTHER COMPETING INTERESTS: None.
Date of Submission: Feb 17, 2013
Date of Peer Review: Mar 09, 2013
Date of Acceptance: Mar 29, 2014
Date of Publishing: May 15, 2014