Lesson 1 of 0
In Progress
Periodontal Ligament (‘PDL’)
Periodontal Ligament (‘PDL’)
- Functions:
- Transmits occlusal forces to the bone
- Attaches teeth to bone
- Maintains position of gingival tissues
- Resists impact of occlusal forces
- ‘Shock absorber’ for nerves/vessels
- Supplies nutrients to periodontal structures
- Transmits touch, pain, and pressure sensation
- Fiber bundles:
- Collagenous fibers (‘Sharpey’s fibers’) that attach cementum and bone
- Principle fiber groups: ****
- Transeptal fibers (extend interproximally over alveolar crest; embedded in the cementum of two adjacent teeth; what is adjusted in orthodontics)
- Alveolar crest fibers (apical to junctional epithelium; extends obliquely from cementum to alveolar bone)
- Oblique fibers (LARGEST and most significant fiber group; extends from cementum coronally to bone) ***
- Specifically, withstands masticatory stress in a vertical direction (BOARD WORTHY!)
- Horizontal fibers (extend at right angles to long axis of tooth)
- Apical fibers (extend from apical aspect of cementum to base of tooth socket)
- Interradicular fibers (found only in multi-rooted teeth extending from the cementum to bone in areas of furcation)
- Cells of the PDL:
- Fibroblasts are the MOST prominent cell in the PDL; responsible for collagen synthesis and degradation
- Cells capable of remodeling bone (osteoblasts and osteoclasts[break down bone]) and cementum (cementoblasts)