PERIODONTAL

LIGAMENT
The periodontal ligament is the soft, richly
vascular and cellular connective tissue which
surrounds the roots of the teeth and joins the
root cementum with the socket wall. In the
coronal direction, the periodontal ligament is
continuous with the lamina propria of the
.gingiva
The width of the periodontal ligament is
. approximately 0.25 mm

The periodontal ligament is situated in the space

between the roots of the teeth and the lamina
.dura or the alveolar bone proper
ROOT
PDL AB
 Structure
The periodontal ligament space has
the shape of a hourglass &is
narrowest at the mid root level.
There are :- (cellular composition,
extracellular components)
Cellular Composition
Cells of periodontal ligament
Synthetic cells -1
.Osteoblasts
Fibroblasts
.Cementoblasts
2- Resorptive cells:-
 Osteoclasts

 Cementoclasts

 Fibroclasts.

3- Progenitor cells.
4- Other epithelial cells (epithelial cell rest of
Malassez).
5- Connective tissue cells (Mast cells and
macrophages).
 Extracellular components

1- Fibers
Collagen
Oxytalin

2- Ground substance

Proteoglycans

Glycoproteins.
 Periodontal fibers most of them are principal

fibers. These fibers are collagenous in nature

and are arranged in bundles & following a

wavy course.
These collagen is synthesized by fibroblasts,
chondroblasts, osteoblasts, odontoblasts & other
cells. The principal fibers are composed of type I
collagen,but type IV collagen is seen in the basal
.lamina
The periodontal space is diminished around

teeth that are not in function and in unerupted

teeth, but it is increased in teeth subjected to

hyperfunction
 Types of PDL fibers
1- Principal fibers.
2- Secondary fibers.
 The terminal portions of the principal fibers

are inserted into cementum and bone are

termed Sharpey’s fiber

 The principal fibers
These fibers are arranged in six groups that
develop with the root development:
 1- Transseptal group ( may consider

gingival), they are reconstructed even after

destruction of the alveolar bone resulting
from periodontal disease.
2- Alveolar crest ( beneath JE to alveolar
crest). Its function is to retain tooth to socket
& resist lateral movement and extrusion.
Horizontal (from cementum to the alveolar-3
bone at right angle to long axis of the tooth)

Oblique they are the largest group and-4 -

extend coronally in an oblique direction from
cementum to bone they resist vertical
.masticatory stresses
- 5- Apical ( from cementum of the apex
apically and laterally into the bone ). Their
main function is prevents tipping, resist
luxation, protect blood, lymph & nerve
vessels supplying the tooth.
-

6- Interradicular fibers ( from cementum of

bifurcation areas and from apex to furcal
bone).It resist luxation and tipping.
Transseptal fibers at the crest of the interdental
bone
 Secondary fibers
 These fibers inter digitate at right angles or
splay around & between regular fibers
bundles.
 These fibers associated with blood vessels &
nerves of the PDL.
 Ground substance
The space between cells ,fibers & blood
vessels & nerves in periodontal space is
occupied by ground substance. It is made of
glycosaminoglycans eg ( hyaluronic acid,
proteoglycans) & glycoprotiens eg
(fibronectin & laminin) and water about 70%
The blood & nerve supply of PDL
 Branches derived from (dental, interradicular
& interdental arteries).
 The lymphatic vessels follow the path of
blood vessels in PDL.
 The nerve supply in an un-erupted tooth, the
developing PDL is supplied by fine
unmyelinated nerve fibers.
But the mature one is supplied by the dental
branches of the alveolar nerve through the apical
perforations of the tooth socket or cribriform
.plate
The periodontal ligaments is richly supplied by
mechanoreceptors whose cell bodies located
in the trigeminal ganglion.
 Functions of Periodontal Ligament

: They are categorized into

Physical
formative
Nutritive
,Remodelling
Physical Functions

Provision of a soft tissue “casing” to protect .1

the vessels and nerves from injury
Transmission of occlusal forces to the bone .2

3.Attachment of the teeth to the bone..

4. Resistance to the impact of occlusal forces
.(shock absorption)
Resistance to Impact of Occlusal Forces (Shock

Absorption) Two theories pertaining to the

mechanism of tooth support have been

considered: the Tensional and

.Viscoelastic system theories

The Tensional theory of tooth support states that
the principal fibers of the periodontal ligament
are the major factor in supporting the tooth and
transmitting forces to the bone. When a force is
applied to the crown, the principal fibers first
unfold and straighten
causing an elastic deformation of the bony

socket.
. Finally, when the alveolar bone has

reached its limit, the load is transmitted to the

basal bone ,thus avoiding tipping or fracture of

.the tooth
The Viscoelastic system theory states that the
displacement of the tooth is largely controlled by
fluid movements, with fibers having only a
secondary role. When forces are transmitted to
the tooth, the extracellular fluid passes from the
periodontal ligament into the marrow spaces of
.bone through foramina in the cribriform plate
Formative and Remodelling Function
Periodontal ligament and alveolar bone cells
are exposed to physical forces in response to
mastication, parafunction, speech, and
.orthodontic tooth movement
Cells of the periodontal ligament participate in
the formation and resorption of cementum and
.bone
The periodontal ligament is constantly
.undergoing remodelling
Old cells and fibers are broken down and
replaced by new ones, and mitotic activity can
be observed in the fibroblasts and
endothelial cells
The rate of collagen synthesis is twice as fast as
that in the gingiva and four times as fast as that
. in the skin
Nutritional and Sensory Functions

The periodontal ligament supplies nutrients to

the cementum, bone, and gingiva by way of the
blood vessels and also provides lymphatic
drainage
The periodontal ligament is abundantly supplied
with sensory nerve fibers capable of transmitting
tactile, pressure, and pain sensations by the
trigeminal pathways. Nerve bundles pass into
the periodontal ligament from the periapical area
and through channels from the alveolar bone
that follow the course of the blood vessels
 Clinical considerations
 The primary role of PDL is to support the
tooth on the bony socket.
 Because of the shape of it seems to be the
fulcrum of physiological movement.
 In cases of trauma PDL fill the space till
repair occur.
In single-rooted teeth the axis of rotation is
located in the area between the apical third and
.the middle third of the root

The periodontal ligament, which has an

hourglass shape, is narrowest in the region of
the axis of rotation
In multirooted teeth the axis of rotation is
located in the bone between the roots

the periodontal ligament is thinner on the mesial

.root surface than on the distal surface
Left, Diagram of tooth (mandibular premolar) in a resting state.
Right, When a force is exerted on the tooth, in this case in
faciolingual direction (arrow) the tooth rotates around the
fulcrum or axis of rotation (black circle on root). The
periodontal ligament is compressed in areas of pressure and
distended in areas of tension
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