Which term describes the process involved in the formation of cementicles?

The term that accurately describes the process involved in the formation of cementicles is dystrophic calcification. This process refers to the abnormal deposition of calcium salts in tissues that are damaged or undergoing necrosis. In the context of cementicles, these calcified structures form within the cementum of the teeth, often as a result of local inflammation or trauma affecting the periodontal tissues.

Cementicles can arise as a response to pathological conditions, leading to the mineralization of the cementum. Dystrophic calcification emphasizes that the calcification occurs in tissues that may not be in a healthy state, which aligns well with how cementicles form under various stressors on the periodontal ligament and surrounding structures.

In contrast, calcification of the pulp refers to mineral deposition within the dental pulp itself, and the mineralization of the periodontal ligament involves the natural development and maintenance of healthy periodontal tissues, neither of which specifically relate to the formation of cementicles. Absorption of dental tissues generally refers to the resorption process, which is not directly linked to the formation of cementicles either. Thus, the correct understanding of cementicle formation is specifically tied to the concept of dystrophic calcification.