Cementum vs Bone — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModeratePhysiologyCementum vs BoneMFDS Part 1

Compared with healthy mature alveolar bone, which statement about cementum is most accurate?

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Correct answer: B — It is avascular and is not subject to regular physiological remodelling

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · A = shown as B · B = shown as C · C = shown as D · D = shown as E

A is correct. Cementum is an avascular mineralised tissue and, unlike alveolar bone, is not normally subject to regular physiological remodelling. It may nevertheless undergo local resorption and repair in pathological or treatment-related circumstances, so “regular physiological remodelling” is the important distinction. Cementum continues to be deposited throughout life, particularly apically, but deposition is not equivalent to bone turnover. Bone is vascular, remodels continuously and may be organised into osteons with Haversian canals, excluding B and C. Cementum has a much lower turnover than bone, excluding D. Cellular cementum contains cementocytes within lacunae, with processes extending through canaliculi; these cells are not osteocytes, so E is incorrect.

Reference: Roguljic H, et al. Gene-expression analysis of cementoblasts and osteoblasts. Journal of Periodontal Research. 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26215316/