Comparative study of the initial genesis of acellular and cellular cementum in rat molars

The initial genesis of acellular and cellular cementum was examined in rat molars by light and electron microscopy. Before root dentinogenesis, flattened dental follicle cells formed compartments by regularly arranged cellular processes which demarcated collagen fibril bundles oriented in parallel with the root long axis in both of the two kinds of cementum. After this stage, compartments disappeared from the dental follicle cells, which became elongated and polarized, with the cytoplasmic side facing toward the root surface in the acellular cementogenesis. Fibril bundles, oriented in parallel with the root long axis, decreased in number, and principal fibers appeared. Some principal fibers were attached on the first acellular cementum. Observations suggested that the fibril bundles, which had been oriented in parallel with the root long axis, were reoriented to merge into the principal fibers. In cellular cementogenesis, the dental follicle cells continued to hold the fibril bundles in cellular compartments. The regular processes were transformed into randomly oriented, finger-like processes. At the same time, fibers, which may be secreted from the finger-like processes, appeared around the preformed fibril bundles oriented in parallel with the root long axis. The different cellular behavior may result in the different fiber arrangement of acellular and cellular cementum.