Surface coatings on dental cementum incident to periodontal disease. (II). Scanning electron microscopic confirmation of a mineralized cuticle.

Root surfaces, exposed by periodontal disease, were studied after treatment with sodium hypochlorite. Observations of the anorganic specimens demonstrated that substantial changes occur in root surfaces incident to periodontal disease. A mineralized surface coating was seen in all areas of the involved root surface, although local regions occurred where the coating was apparently unmineralized. These findings generally confirmed the results of a previous study where the same specimens were studied without hypochlorite treatment. It is concluded that the coating is probably identical to the dental cuticle, and stems from adsorption of components of the gingival inflammatory exudate to the root surface. The coating may also be the carrier matrix for exogenous cytotoxic substances, previously thought to be located in the cementum. The findings may have implications for the way of treating periodontitis-involved root surfaces.