Cellular network across cementum and periodontal ligament elucidated by FIB/SEM tomography

Cementocytes in cementum form a lacuna-canalicular network. However, the 3D ultrastructure and range of the cementocyte network are unclear. Here, the 3D ultrastructure of the cementocyte network at the interface between cementum and periodontal ligament (PDL) was investigated on the mesoscale using FIB/SEM tomography. The results revealed a cellular network of cementocytes and PDL cells. A previous histomorphological study revealed the osteocyte-osteoblast-PDL cellular network. We extended this knowledge and revealed the cementum-PDL-bone cellular network, which may orchestrate the remodeling and modification of periodontal tissue, using a suitable method for imaging of complex tissue. The 3D ultrastructure of the cementocyte architecture around the interface between cementum and periodontal ligament (PDL) was investigated using FIB/SEM tomography. As a result, we showed a cellular interconnection between cementocytes and PDL cells and revealed the cementum-PDL-bone cellular network, extending our previous morphological discovery of the osteocyte-osteoblast-PDL cellular network.