PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT

Dr G. Ganesh MDS

Senior Resident
GANESH GANJI
Dept of Periodontics
2 YEAR PG
nd
 Definition

 Synonyms
 Width of PDL is 0.15-0.38 mm ( app 0.25mm)

 Thinnest around the middle 3rd of the root

 Hour glass appearance

 DEVELOPMENT

 Begins with root formation prior to tooth eruption.

 The continuous proliferation of the inner and outer enamel epithelia

forms the cervical loop of tooth bud.

 The cells of cervical loop grows apically in the form of Hertwig’s

epithelial root sheath, between the dental papilla and the dental follicle.
CONT’D…
 The dental follicle cells

- Dental follicle proper

- Perifollicular mesenchyme

 The cells of the perifollicular mesenchyme

bounded by the dental follicle proper and the
developing alveolar bone.
 CONT’D…
 As the root formation continues, cells in the perifollicular area gain
their polarity and the cellular volume and synthetic activity increase.

 These cells become elongated and contain increased amounts of rough

endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and an active golgi complex.

 As a result, they actively synthesize and deposit collagen fibrils and

glycoproteins in the developing periodontal ligament.
 CONT’D…
 The developing periodontal ligament and mature periodontal ligament contain
undifferentiated stem cells that retain the potential to differentiate into osteoblasts,
cementoblasts, and fibroblasts.

 Stem cells occupy perivascular sites in the periodontal ligament and in adjacent
endosteal spaces.
ATTACHMENT OF PDL COLLAGEN FIBERS TO THE ROOT SURFACE
 MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF PDL :
PDL

Cells Extracellular substances

Differentiated Others Fibers Ground substance

cells -Epithelial - Collagen fibers -Glycosaminoglycan
rests of - Oxytalan fibers - Glycoproteins
Malassez
-Defense cells
-Progenitor cells

Synthetic cells Resorptive cells

-Fibroblasts -Osteoclasts
-Osteoblasts -Fibroblasts
--Cementoblasts -Cementoclasts
 COLLAGEN FIBERS

 Collagen bundles are arranged in groups that run between the cementum and
alveolar bone, and are called as “principal fibers”.
 These appear to be more numerous but smaller at their attachment to cementum than
at the alveolar bone. They follow a wavy course when viewed in longitudinal
sections.
 Terminal portions of principal fibers that insert into cementum and alveolar
bone are termed “Sharpey’s fibers”.
PRINCIPAL FIBERS
 ELASTIC FIBERS
 PDL contain immature forms of elastin

Oxytalan

Eluanin
 Reticular fibers

 Fine immature collagen fibers with argyrophilic staining properties.

 Related to basement membrane of blood vessels and epithelial cells within the PDL.

 Composed of collagen type III

 INDIFFERENT FIBER PLEXUS
 Small collagen fibers- associated with principal fibers.

 Run in all directions.

 Ground substance
 Consists mainly

-hyaluronate

-glycosaminoglycans

-proteoglycans

-glycoproteins.

 Secreted by fibroblasts.
 BLOOD VESSELS :
The arterial vessels of the PDL are derived from three sources :
 Apical vessels : Before entering the dental pulp, apical vessels gives off
branches that supply the apical portion of PDL.
 Transalveolar vessels : These are the intraseptal vessels that run horizontally
and perforate the alveolar bone to enter the PDL.
 Gingival vessels : The branches of gingival vessels enter the PDL from coronal
direction.
 THE BLOOD SUPPLY :
o Increases from incisors to the molars

 Is greatest in the gingival third of a single-rooted teeth, less in the apical third
and least in the middle third.

 Is slightly greater on mesial and distal surfaces than on the facial and lingual.

 Is greater on mesial surfaces of mandibular molars than on the distal.

 Blood vessels are in greater no. in mandibular than in maxillary teeth.

NERVE SUPPLY :

 Nerve bundles pass into the PDL from periapical area and through channels from
alveolar bone.

 The bundles divide into single myelinated fibers, and end in one of four types of
neural termination :

Free endings

Ruffini- like mechnoreceptors

Meissner’s corpuscles

Encapsulated spindle type ending

 CEMENTICLES

 Calcified globular masses of cementum are sometimes

found in PDL.
 Seen in older individuals.
 May remain free in PDL or fuse into large calcified
masses.
 May result from microtrauma
 More common in apical and middle third of root & in
furcation areas.
 FUNCTIONS OF PDL

 Categorized into

- Physical

- Formative and remodeling

- Nutritional and sensory

- Homeostatic
CONT’D…

Physical functions
 Provision of a soft tissue casing to protect the vessels and nerves from injury by
mechanical forces.

 Transmission of occlusal forces to the bone.

 Attachment of the teeth to the bone.

 Maintenance of the gingival tissues in their proper relationship to the teeth.

 Resistance to the impact of occlusal forces.

CONT’D…

 Resistance to the impact of occlusal forces

Tensional theory

Viscoelastic system theory

CONT’D…

Tensional theory
 Principal fibers are the major factor in supporting tooth and trnasmitting forces to the bone.

Principal fibers unfold and straighten

Transmit forces to alveolar bone

Elastic deformation of bony socket

CONT’D…
Viscoelastic system theory
 Extracellular fluid has main role,

Force

Extra cellular fluid passes from PDL to alveolar bone through

Foramina in cribriform plate
CONT’D…

Formative and remodeling function

 Cells of PDL participate in the formation and resorption of cementum and bone.

 Physiologic tooth movement

 Accomodation of periodontium to occlusal forces

 Repair of injuries
CONT’D…

 Periodontal ligament is constantly undergoing remodeling.

 The rate of collagen synthesis- twice as fast as in gingiva.

 Rapid turnover of sulfated glycosaminoglycans.

CONT’D…

Nutritional and sensory functions

 Supplies nutrients to the cementum, bone, gingiva by way of blood vessels and also
provides lymphatic drainage.

 Transmits tactile, pressure and pain sensations by trigeminal pathways.

CONT’D…

Homeostatic function
 The preservation of PDL width throught lifetime is an important measure of
homeostasis.

 Biological mechanisms regulate the metabolism and spatial locations of cell

populations involved in formation of bone, cementum, PDL fibers.
 AGE CHANGES
 Cell number and cell activity decreases

 Gradual decrease in width

 Decline in the quantity and quality of collagen

 Decreased alkaline phophatase activity

 Osteoclastic activity increased.