Cementai Tear Related to Rapid Periodontal Breakdown: A Case Report

C emental tears have been described both in exposed and unexposed cementum. The phenomenon is believed to be elicited by overloading or acute trauma from occlusion. In this case report a patient, with a history of periodontal health, presented with an acute periodontal lesion on the distal aspect of a bridge abutment tooth. Periapical radiographs demonstrated an extensive vertical intrabony defect adjacent to the vital abutment tooth containing a radiopaque “foreign body.” Histological examination of the surgically removed “foreign body” revealed a piece of dental cementum with some attached soft tissue. The lesion responded well to a surgical approach. Healing was uneventful and periodontal health was restored. This case illustrates that cemental tear should be considered as a differential diagnostic entity in isolated sites with rapid periodontal breakdown. J Periodontol 1992;63:220–224 .