PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT

by

Helen R. Hallare, DDM

PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT

Dense fibrous connective tissue attaching the tooth to the alveolar bone Functionto support the tooth in the alveolus & to maintain the physiologic relation between the cementum and bone

Characteristics

Its fibers are inserted into the alveolar bone and into the cementum Its quite cellular, well innervated, vascular and contains epithelial aggregates It occupies the narrow space between the calcified surfaces of the cementum and alveolus

Characteristics

Is detectable in radiographsa radioluscent line parallel to the root surface (lamina dura in radiographsradiodense line that represents the alveolar bone proper Varies in thickness0.1 - 0.25 mm depending on age, stage of eruption of the tooth and functional characteristics Thicker in adolescents than in older individuals

Characteristics

Teeth without antagonists would have thinner ligaments; with impacted teeth theyre even thinner Under normal function tends to be narrowest near the middle of the root and wider near the apex

PRINCIPAL FIBER GROUPS

1. Alveolar Crest Group radiate from the crest of the alveolar process and are attached to the cervical cementum Attached to the cementum just below the cementoenamel junction and running downward and outward to insert into the rim of the alveolus function is to resist vertical and intrusive force and anchor the tooth to the alveolus

PRINCIPAL FIBER GROUPS

2. Horizontal Fiber Group run at right angles to the long axis of the tooth, from cementum to bone near the crest immediately apical to the alveolar crest at right angles to the axis of the tooth They function to resist horizontal or lateral pressures applied to the tooth crown

PRINCIPAL FIBER GROUPS

3. Apical Fiber Group radiate from the apical region of the tooth to the surrounding bone Radiating from the cementum around the apex of the root of the bone, forming the base of the socket It prevents vestibulo-oral tipping

PRINCIPAL FIBER GROUPS

4. Oblique Fiber Group are the most numerous and constitute the main support of the tooth running from cementum in an oblique direction to insert into bone coronally Function is to sustain the occlusal forces, that is to resist intrusive masticatory forces

PRINCIPAL FIBER GROUPS

5. Interradicular Fiber Group Found only between roots of multirooted tooth and running from the cementum into the bone forming the crest of the interradicular septum It resists tipping and torque

Other Fibers
1. Indifferent Fiber Plexus group appears to course parallel to the root surface, forming a loose intersecting network May also be incorporated into the mineralized matrices

Other Fibers
2.

Oxytalan Fibers is found interspersed among the collagen fibers, and is morphologically similar to those in gingiva run in an occluso-apical direction associated with blood vessels and nerve fibers They are found more often on the cemental than on the bony side of the ligament

Other Fibers
3. Elastic Fibers this group of fibers are scarce They are confined to the loose connective tissue surrounding neurovascular channels

CELLS
The main function of periodontal ligament cells is to maintain the normal organization of the fiber system by synthesizing new fibers and remove old ones

Fibroblasts

They are shaped like spindles or flat disks and have long ovoid nuclei and numerous cytoplasmic processes of various lengths make up the major cellular population of the ligament (principal cells of the periodontal ligament) Their function is to synthesize collagen, which aggregates into fibrils and fibers extracellularly

Cementoblasts

Are observed during the phases of active deposition of cellular cementum are ovoid to cuboidal shape and the cytoplasm is basophilic

Osteoblasts

Found in the peripheral part of the periodontal ligament adjacent to bone Appear only in areas of the periodontal space where alveolar bone is deposited

Osteoclasts and Odontoclasts

They are multinucleated cells that are morphologically and functionally indistinguishable Osteoclasts work with osteoblasts to remodel existing alveolar bone Odontoclasts can resorb mineralized dental tissue, including cementum They are usually located within superficial bone concavities the HOWSHIPS LACUNAE

Epithelial Cells

They are commonly found in the ligament close to cementum They originate from Hertwigs epithelial root

sheath

Defence Cells
They are few in disease-free periodontal ligament

Undifferentiated Mesenchymal Cells or Progenitor Cells

Have a perivascular location within 5 micrometers of blood vessels A source of new cells for the periodontal ligament

Macrophages

Important defense cells because of their phagocytic activity and mobility Take up bacteria, dead cells and foreign bodies

Leukocytes

Individual leukocytes, especially small lymphocytes and plasma cells may appear in periodontium when it is stressed by disease

Vascular Supply
Its main blood supply is from the SUPERIOR AND INFERIOR ALVEOLAR ARTERIES

The periodontal blood system is supplied from 3 sources:

1. BRANCHES FROM THE DENTAL ARTERY 2. BRANCHES OF THE INTERALVEOLAR AND INTERRADICULAR ARTERIES 3. BRANCHES OF THE PERIOSTEAL ARTERIES

Functions of the Blood Vessels of the Periodontal ligament

1. Nutritive function. 2. Removal of cellular waste. 3. Acts as a hydraulic shock-absorbing system, cushioning the tooth against light occlusal forces

Nerves

Contains both sensory and autonomic nerve endings The sensory nerve endings are able to identify pain and pressureextremely sensitive, able to detect minute particles between occluding tooth surfaces The autonomic innervation that originates from the superior cervical ganglion is primarily responsible for the control of smooth muscles associated with the periodontal vasculature

Four types of neural termination

1. Free nerve endings

The most frequent neural termination that ramifies in a treelike configuration. They are located at regular intervals along the length of the root Such endings are thought to be both nociceptors and mechanoreceptors

2. Ruffini Corpuscle

Is found around the root apex, appear dendritic and end in terminal expansions among the periodontal ligament fiber bundles their known physiologic function as mechanoreceptors

3. Coiled Ending

Found in the midregion of the periodontal ligament whose function and ultrastructure have not yet been determined

4.

Encapsulated Spindle Type Ending

The lowest frequency, is found associated with the root apex and consists of spindle-like endings surrounded by a fibrous capsule

Functions of the Periodontal Ligament

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Formative Supportive Nutritive Hemostatic Sensory

The End