Department of periodontology

Tooth supporting structures

Periodontal Ligament: The periodontal ligament is a
thin, fibrous ligament connecting a tooth to the lamina
dura of the bony socket. Normally, teeth do not contact
the bone directly; a tooth is suspended in its socket by
the fibers of the ligament. This arrangement allows each
tooth limited individual movement. The fibers act as
shock absorbers to cushion the force of chewing impacts
 The periodontal ligament is composed of a complex vascular and highly celluar connective tissue that surrounds the
tooth root and connects it to the inner wall of alveolar bone.
The average width of periodontal ligament space is documented to be about 0.2 mm, considerable variation exists.
The space dimishes around the teeth which are not in function and in unerupted teeth, it is increased in teeth subjected
to hyperfunction.
The principal fibers of periodontal ligament rearranged in six groups