OPTION 1

Key Concept:

AGE CHANGES IN CEMENTUM:

•            The thickness of cementum increases with age, particularly at the apex. This may probably be due to passive eruption. Secondly, there is also an increased deposition on the lingual surface as compared to other surfaces.

•            Cementum triples its thickness from 10 years to 75 years.

•            However, in those areas where it is exposed due to gingival recession, its thickness decreases. Cementocytes have the lowest proliferative capacity and gradually die due to decreased accessibility to nutrition as the width of the cementum increases and due to poor elimination of waste products of cementocytes.

•            Hence, cementum becomes acellular except at the apex with increasing age.