Periodontium (4) – Periodontal ligaments ‫ وضاح عبد الناصر نعمان الحاج‬/‫د‬

Periodontium (4)
Periodontal ligaments
- The periodontal ligament (PDL) is the connective tissue that surrounds the root and
connects it to the bone. It communicates with the marrow spaces through vascular
channels in the bone.
Periodontal Fibers
- The most important elements of the periodontal ligament are the principal fibers,
which are collagenous, are arranged in bundles, and follow a wavy course when viewed
in longitudinal sections.

- These fibers consist mainly of a protein called collagen. The principal fibers are
composed mainly of collagen type I, whereas reticular fibers are composed of collagen type III.
Collagen type IV is found in the basal lamina.
Sharpey's fibers are the terminal portions of the principal fibers that insert into
cementum and bone.
- The principal fibers are the bundles that exit the cementum and alveolar bone and
form the periodontal ligament rearranged in six groups:

Alveolar
Transseptal Horizontal
crest

Inter-
Oblique Apical
radicular

1. Alveolar crest fibers: extend obliquely from the

cementum just beneath the junctional epithelium to the
alveolar crest. These fibers prevent the extrusion of the tooth
and resist lateral tooth movements.

2. Horizontal fibers: attach to the cementum apical to the

alveolar crest fibers and run perpendicularly from the root of
the tooth to the alveolar bone. It resists horizontal and tipping
forces.

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Periodontium (4) – Periodontal ligaments ‫ وضاح عبد الناصر نعمان الحاج‬/‫د‬

3. Oblique Fibers: are the most numerous fibers in the periodontal ligament,
running from cementum in an oblique direction to insert into bone coronally. It is
considered the main support of the tooth against masticatory forces and resists
vertical and intrusive forces.

5.Apical Fibers: radiating from cementum around the apex of the root to the bone,
forming base of the socket. It resists vertical force.

6. Interradicular Fibers:
Interradicular fibers are only found between the roots of multi-rooted teeth, such
as molars. They also attach from the cementum and insert to the nearby alveolar
bone. It resists vertical and lateral forces.

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 Periodontium (4) – Periodontal ligaments ‫ وضاح عبد الناصر نعمان الحاج‬/‫د‬

fibroblasts

Connective tissue
Cementoblasts
Periodontal ligaments cells

cells

Osteoblasts

Epithelial rest
Epithelial rest cells
of malassez
Undifferentiated
mesenchymal cells
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Immune system cells Lymphocytes
Macrophages
Neurovascular Mast cells
element cells

The periodontal cells can also be divided as the following:

1- Synthetic cells: fibroblasts, osteoblasts and cementoblasts.
2- Resorptive cells: cementoclasts and osteoclasts.
3- Progenitor cells: undifferentiated mesenchymal cells.
4- Defensive cells: macrophage, lymphocytes and mast cells.
5- Epithelial cells: epithelial cells of malassez
Synthetic cells
 Fibroblasts

- Contains intracellular collagen profiles - Contains lysosomal system

- Perform fibroclastic function - Ingestion collagen fibers
 Cementoblasts and osteoblasts are essential in building up cementum and bone.
Resorptive cells of PDL
1- Osteoclasts 2 - Cementoclasts
Note: Both are rich in acid phosphatase activity.

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 Periodontium (4) – Periodontal ligaments ‫ وضاح عبد الناصر نعمان الحاج‬/‫د‬

Epithelial rest of malassez:

 They are remnants of the epithelial root sheath of Hertwig.
 They show low cells turnover, although they may proliferate to form cysts or tumors.

Progenitor cells
- Can undergo mitotic division - Can differentiate to different types of cells
- Found close to blood vessels.

Defensive Cells of PDL

1- Macrophages 2- Lymphocytes 3- Mast cells

Note: There are no plasma cells.

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 Periodontium (4) – Periodontal ligaments ‫ وضاح عبد الناصر نعمان الحاج‬/‫د‬

Extracellular components
1- Collageneous fibers 2- Elastic fibres 3- Ground substance

4- Blood vessels 5- Nerves

The main fibers are the principal fibers and additional fibers are
oxytalan fibers.

Vascular and Nerve supply

 There are found between the interstitial spaces.

 The interstitial spaces contain blood vessels, lymph channels, and nerves.
 These structures help maintain the vitality of the
periodontal ligament.

 Blood supply

 The arterial blood supply of the periodontal ligament is

derived from 3 sources:

1- Branches from the gingival vessels.

2- Branches from the intra-alveolar vessels, these branches run
horizontally and these constitute the main blood supply.
3- Branches from the apical vessels that supply the dental pulp.

The nerve supply

The nerve supply of periodontal ligament comes from either the
inferior or superior dental nerves.
1- Bundles of nerve fibers run from the apical region of the root
towards the gingival margin.
2- Nerves enter the ligament horizontally through multiple
foramina in the bone.
Small nerve fibers are responsible of pain sensation.
Large nerve fibers are responsible of pressure and touch.
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 Periodontium (4) – Periodontal ligaments ‫ وضاح عبد الناصر نعمان الحاج‬/‫د‬

• Stimulation of the mechanoreceptors initiates a reflex jaw opening.

• This reflex is a protective mechanism to prevent forces applied to the teeth from
reaching damaging levels.

• Functions of PDL

• Supportive: It provides a support mechanism for the tooth; it cushions

teeth against excessive occlusal forces, preventing damage to the blood
vessels and nerves at the root apex. Also periodontal fibers being non elastic
prevent the tooth from being moved too far.

• Protective is thought to have a significant effect on the tooth's ability to

withstand stress loads.
The protective function of the periodontal ligament is achieved by:
a- The principal fibers. b- The blood vessels. c- The nerves.

• Formative: The periodontal fibers undergo continuous change. Its cells

form, maintain and repair the alveolar bone and cementum. The fibroblasts
are responsible for the formation of new periodontal ligament fibers and
dissolution of the old fibers
Cementoblasts and osteoblasts are essential in building up cementum and
bone.

• Sensory: Nerves in the periodontal ligament provide proprioceptive input,

detecting pressures and touch on the tooth.

• Nutritive: The periodontal ligament has a rich supply of blood, which

provides nutrients to the ligament cells themselves, cementoblasts and the
most superficial osteocytes.

The age changes of periodontal ligament

They include the decrease in vascularity, cellularity and thickness. It may
contain cementicles.

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