Formation of an alternate lamellar pattern in the advanced cellular cementogenesis in human teeth

The formation of an alternate lamellar pattern in the advanced stage of cellular cementogenesis in human molars was examined by light and electron microscopy. In longitudinal ultrathin sections, longitudinally oriented intrinsic fibril bundles appeared in close and parallel association with slender processes of cementoblasts on the cementum. Where transversely oriented intrinsic fibril bundles appeared, cementoblasts formed indentations to enclose the fibril bundles. Cytoplasmic fragments were also enclosed in the indentations. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that cementoblasts have developed two types of processes on their cementum-facing side - ridge- and finger-like. The cementoblasts formed groove-like compartments by ridge-like processes in cooperation with other cementoblasts. The compartments formed groups, and in each group the compartments were arranged in the same direction. The finger-like processes were arranged in parallel with the ridge-like processes in the compartments. These observations suggest that: (1) slender processes and cytoplasmic fragments are longitudinally and transversely cut finger-like processes, respectively; (2) the cellular indentations are transversely cut groove-like compartments; (3) the cementoblasts regulate the intrinsic fiber arrangement by the two types of processes; (4) the cementoblasts move the two types of processes synchronously and periodically to cause an alternate change in the intrinsic fiber arrangement. This dynamic sequence results in the alternate lamellar pattern of cellular cementum.