Lec.8 Oral Histology Dr.
Lubna
Root Formation
The development of the roots begins after enamel & dentin formation has reached the
future cementoenamel junction.
The enamel organ plays an important part in root development by forming Hertwig’s
epithelial root sheath, which molds the shape of the roots & initiates radicular dentin
formation.
Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath consists of the outer & inner enamel epithelia only.
Prior to the beginning of root formation, the root sheath forms the epithelial
diaphragm. The outer & inner enamel epithelia bend at the future cementoenamel
junction into a horizontal plane, narrowing the wide cervical opening of tooth germ.
The plane of the diaphragm remains relatively fixed during the development &
growth of the root.
The proliferation of the cells of the epithelial diaphragm is accompanied by
proliferation of the cells of the C.T. of the pulp, which occurs in the area adjacent
to the diaphragm.
The differentiation of odontoblasts & the formation of dentin follow the lengthening
of the root sheath.
At the same time the C.T. of the dental follicle surrounding the root sheath
proliferates & invades the continuous double epithelial layer (Hertwig’s epithelial root
sheath) dividing it into a network of epithelial strands.
Then the epithelium is moved away from the surface of the dentin so that C.T. cells
come into contact with the outer surface of the dentin of the root & differentiate into
cementoblast that deposit a layer of cementum onto the surface of the root dentin.
In the last stages of root development, the proliferation of the epithelium in the
diaphragm lags behind that of the pulpal C.T.
The wide apical foramen is reduced first to the width of the diaphragmatic opening
itself & later is further narrowed by apposition of dentin & cementum to the apex
of the root.
Formation of multi-root
When the Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath formed from a double layer of inner &
outer enamel epithelium. This sheath grows around the dental papilla between the
dental papilla & the dental follicle.
Differential growth of the epithelial diaphragm in multirooted teeth causes the
division of the trunk into 2 or 3 roots.
To understand multiple root formation, imagine the root sheath as a collar or skirt
hanging from the enamel organ, two tongues like extension of the horizontal
diaphragm develops in teeth with 2 roots & 3 tongues like extension develop in
teeth with 3 roots.
The free ends of these horizontal epithelial flaps grow toward each other & fuse.
On the pulpal surface of the dividing epithelial bridges, dentin formation starts, &
on the periphery of each opening.
The root sheath determines whether a tooth has single or multiple roots, is short or
long, or is curved or straight.
Single roots formation
□For single-rooted teeth the root sheath grows like a cuff or tube around the newly
forming pulp
□Development of multi-rooted teeth takes place in a same manner until the furcation
area.
□ When the furcation area is reached the epithelial diaphragm develops tongue like
extensions that grow
□ If the continuity of the root sheath is broken before the dentine is formed it results
in missing or abnormal epithelial cells
□ When the epithelial cells are missing the Odontoblasts do not differentiate and
dentine doesn’t form opposite the defect that occurred in the root sheath
□The result will be a small lateral canal. This lateral canal is also called as
supplemental canal or accessory canal
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□ Accessory canals connect the main root canal with the periodontal ligament.
□ If the epithelial root sheath does not degenerate at the proper time and remain stuck
to the surface of the root dentine, then that area becomes devoid of Cementum.
□ Areas of root without cementum can be a cause of sensitivity if the there is gingival
recession
Fate of epithelial root sheath
□After dentine formation in root takes place, the epithelial root sheath breaks down and
its remnants migrate away from the dentinal surface
□They lie in the periodontal ligament and are called epithelial rests of Malassez
□The epithelial rests of Malassez are found the in the periodontal ligament through out
the life
□ Sometimes when there is chronic inflammation the epithelial cell rest of Malassez
proliferate into cysts and tumors.
Root formation anomalies
If the continuity of the root sheath is broken before the dentine is formed it results
in missing or abnormal epithelial cells
When the epithelial cells are missing the Odontoblasts do not differentiate and
dentine doesn’t form opposite the defect that occurred in the root sheath
The result will be a small lateral canal. This lateral canal is also called as
supplemental canal or accessory canal
Accessory canals connect the main root canal with the periodontal ligament they
contact each
If the epithelial root sheath does not degenerate at the proper time and remain stuck to
the surface of the root dentine, then that area becomes devoid of cementum
Areas of root without cementum can be a cause of sensitivity if the there is gingival
recession
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-Enamel
Exposed
root
dentin
Cementum
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Cementogenesis
The 'formation of Cementum' is also known as "Cementogenesis", one of the three
mineralized substances of a tooth. Cementum covers the roots of teeth and serves to
anchor gingival and periodontal fibers of the periodontal ligament by the fibers to the
alveolar bone (some types of cementum may also form on the surface of the enamel of
the crown at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ)).
For cementogenesis to begin, Hertwig epithelial root sheath (HERS) must fragment.
HERS is a collar of epithelial cells derived from the apical prolongation of the enamel
organ. Once the root sheath disintegrates, the newly formed surface of root dentin
comes into contact with the undifferentiated cells of the dental sac (dental follicle).
This then stimulates the activation of cementoblasts to begin cementogenesis.
The external shape of each root is fully determined by the position of the surrounding
Hertwig epithelial root sheath. .
It is believed that either
1) HERS becomes interrupted.
2) Infiltrating dental sac cells receive a reciprocal inductive signal from the dentin.
3) HERS cells transform into cementoblasts.
The cementoblasts then disperse to cover the root dentin area and undergo
cementogenesis, laying down cementoid. During the later steps within the stage of
apposition, many of the cementoblasts become entrapped by the cementum they
produce, becoming cementocytes. When the cementoid reaches the full thickness
needed, the cementoid surrounding the cementocytes becomes mineralized, or matured,
and is then considered cementum. Because of the apposition of cementum over the
dentin, the dentinocemental junction (DCJ) is formed.
After the apposition of cementum in layers, the cementoblasts that do not become
entrapped in cementum line up along the cemental surface along the length of the outer
covering of the periodontal ligament. These cementoblasts can form subsequent layers
of cementum if the tooth is injured. Cementum grows slowly, by surface apposition,
throughout life.
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