Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the alveolar crest group fibers?
What is the primary function of the alveolar crest group fibers?
Where do the oblique group fibers primarily insert?
Where do the oblique group fibers primarily insert?
What is the primary functional role of the periodontal ligament?
What is the primary functional role of the periodontal ligament?
How does the periodontal ligament communicate with the bone's vascular system?
How does the periodontal ligament communicate with the bone's vascular system?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens to the apical group fibers in incompletely formed roots?
What happens to the apical group fibers in incompletely formed roots?
Signup and view all the answers
Which group fibers are crucial for connecting neighboring teeth?
Which group fibers are crucial for connecting neighboring teeth?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant characteristic of the periodontal ligament?
What is a significant characteristic of the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
In which area does the periodontal ligament merge with the dental pulp?
In which area does the periodontal ligament merge with the dental pulp?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common age-related change observed in the periodontal ligament (PDL)?
What is a common age-related change observed in the periodontal ligament (PDL)?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes the development aspect of the periodontal ligament?
Which of the following best describes the development aspect of the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
What contributes to the sensory functions of the periodontal ligament?
What contributes to the sensory functions of the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the periodontal ligament?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key cellular component found in the periodontal ligament?
What is a key cellular component found in the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the initial characteristic of collagen fibers in the periodontal ligament before they become organized?
What is the initial characteristic of collagen fibers in the periodontal ligament before they become organized?
Signup and view all the answers
What fibers appear first during the eruption process of the periodontal ligament?
What fibers appear first during the eruption process of the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cells are primarily responsible for forming collagen in the periodontal ligament?
Which cells are primarily responsible for forming collagen in the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
How do alveolar fibers contribute to the periodontal ligament?
How do alveolar fibers contribute to the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of progenitor cells within the periodontal ligament?
What is the role of progenitor cells within the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
Which types of cells are involved in the resorption process within the periodontal ligament?
Which types of cells are involved in the resorption process within the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary blood supply to the periodontal ligament?
What is the primary blood supply to the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the Epithelial Rests of Malassez remnants from?
What are the Epithelial Rests of Malassez remnants from?
Signup and view all the answers
During the development of the periodontal ligament, how do the fibers become thicker and stronger?
During the development of the periodontal ligament, how do the fibers become thicker and stronger?
Signup and view all the answers
What role does the periodontal ligament (PDL) play in relation to the tooth?
What role does the periodontal ligament (PDL) play in relation to the tooth?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the width of the PDL change under heavy loading conditions near the crest of the alveolus?
How does the width of the PDL change under heavy loading conditions near the crest of the alveolus?
Signup and view all the answers
Which property of the periodontal ligament contributes to its ability to serve as a shock absorber?
Which property of the periodontal ligament contributes to its ability to serve as a shock absorber?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the average width of the periodontal ligament in millimeters?
What is the average width of the periodontal ligament in millimeters?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens to the periodontal ligament when there is no functional loading on the tooth?
What happens to the periodontal ligament when there is no functional loading on the tooth?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a primary function of the rich blood supply in the periodontal ligament?
What is a primary function of the rich blood supply in the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of forces does the periodontal ligament transmit during mastication?
What type of forces does the periodontal ligament transmit during mastication?
Signup and view all the answers
In which conditions is the periodontal ligament likely to be the widest?
In which conditions is the periodontal ligament likely to be the widest?
Signup and view all the answers
Which process related to the periodontal ligament allows for healing and adaptation?
Which process related to the periodontal ligament allows for healing and adaptation?
Signup and view all the answers
Which histological structure is associated with the periodontal ligament on radiographs?
Which histological structure is associated with the periodontal ligament on radiographs?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of vessels are responsible for linking periodontal structures?
Which type of vessels are responsible for linking periodontal structures?
Signup and view all the answers
What primary function do the principal fibres of the periodontal ligament serve?
What primary function do the principal fibres of the periodontal ligament serve?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cranial nerve is associated with the sensory nerve supply to the periodontal ligament?
Which cranial nerve is associated with the sensory nerve supply to the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens to blood supply in the periodontal ligament with smoking?
What happens to blood supply in the periodontal ligament with smoking?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the composition of the fibers found in the periodontal ligament?
What is the composition of the fibers found in the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
Which principal fiber group in the periodontal ligament is closest to the alveolar crest?
Which principal fiber group in the periodontal ligament is closest to the alveolar crest?
Signup and view all the answers
Where is the periodontal ligament typically widest?
Where is the periodontal ligament typically widest?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about the nervous supply to periodontal ligaments is true?
Which of the following statements about the nervous supply to periodontal ligaments is true?
Signup and view all the answers
What do Sharpey’s fibres connect within the periodontal ligament?
What do Sharpey’s fibres connect within the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a principal fibre group of the periodontal ligament?
Which of the following is NOT a principal fibre group of the periodontal ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Periodontal Ligament
- Connective tissue surrounding tooth root and connecting it to the alveolar bone
- Continuous with gingival connective tissue and communicates with bone marrow spaces
- Merges with dental pulp at the root apex
- Contains a rich blood supply and is very sensory
Functions of the Periodontal Ligament
- Sensory: Rich nerve fibers transmit touch, pressure, temperature and pain
- Physical: Attaches the tooth to the alveolar bone, maintains tooth position, transmits occlusal forces to bone, acts as a shock absorber
- Nutritive: Rich blood supply provides nutrition for cells, supports formation and resorption
- Formative & Resorptive: High cell turnover, facilitates bone and cementum formation and resorption
Periodontal Ligament Width
- Average width of the PDL is 0.2mm (range 0.15mm to 0.38mm)
- Width varies with loading conditions:
- Heavy loaded: Wider at the crest and fundus of the alveolus
- Normally loaded: Narrower at the crest and fundus of the alveolus
- Functionless: Narrowest at the crest and fundus of the alveolus
- The PDL adapts to pressure and loading conditions, becoming wider and more noticeable on radiographs
Radiographic Appearance
- The PDL appears as the periodontal space on radiographs
- It is a radiolucent area between the lamina dura of the alveolar bone proper and radiopaque cementum
- The periodontal space is narrower in permanent teeth than deciduous teeth
Development
- The PDL develops from the dental follicle after root development begins.
- Fibroblasts in the follicle produce collagen.
- Initial fibers lack organization and become oblique to the tooth.
- The first fibers are apical to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and give rise to gingivodental fibers.
- As eruption progresses, more fibers develop and become attached to new cementum and bone.
- Cemental Sharpey's fibers appear first, followed by Sharpey's fibers in the bone.
- After eruption, alveolar fibers extend into the middle zone to join the lengthening cemental fibers, gaining thickness and strength during occlusal function.
Structural Elements
-
Cells:
- Formative: Osteoblasts, fibroblasts, cementoblasts
- Resorptive: Osteoclasts, cementoclasts, fibroblasts
- Progenitor: Undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, replacing dying cells
- Defense: Mast cells, macrophages
- Epithelial Rests of Malassez: Epithelial cells found near the cemental side of the PDL, remnants of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath
-
Extracellular Substance:
- Fibers: Collagen fibers (mainly)
- Ground Substance: Water, collagen fibers, tissue fluid pressure high (10mmHg above atmospheric pressure)
Blood Supply
- Main blood supply originates from:
- Superior and inferior alveolar arteries
- Penetrating vessels from the alveolar bone
- Anastomosing vessels from the gingiva
Nerve Supply
- Two types of nerves:
- Sensory: Touch, pressure, pain
- Autonomic: Associated with PDL vessels
- Branches of the second and third division of the 5th cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve)
Principal Fiber Groups
- All fibers are made of collagen and are organized into groups according to orientation and function.
- Functions include distributing forces of mastication and speech.
- Principal fibers are embedded into cementum and bone, known as Sharpey's fibers.
- Main groups include:
- Alveolar Crest Group: Prevents tooth extrusion, resists lateral, tilting, and intrusive forces
- Horizontal Group: Resists horizontal and tipping forces
- Oblique Group: Resists vertical masticatory forces, prevents tooth intrusion
- Apical Group: Resists vertical, luxative, and twisting forces, protects nerves and vessels at the apex
- Interradicular Group: Resists vertical and lateral movement, tipping, torquing, and luxation
Interdental Ligament (Transseptal Fibers)
- Important fibers that run through the gingival mucosa to connect neighboring teeth
- Insert interdentally into cervical cementum of neighboring teeth over the alveolar crest
- Resist rotational forces and keep teeth in alignment
- Maintain gingival integrity
Gingival Fiber Group
- Separate but adjacent fiber groups within the lamina propria of the marginal gingiva
Ground Substance Functions
- Exchange of metabolites
- Ion and water binding
- Fibre orientation
- Tooth support and binding mechanisms
- Removal of toxins and nutrient delivery
Age Changes
- Decrease in cells
- Increase in fibrous tissue
- Decrease in vascularity and mitotic activity
- Narrowing of PDL width
- Scalloping seen on calcified tissues (bone, cementum)
Clinical Considerations
- Understanding PDL function is crucial for dental practice.
- Considerations include:
- Preventing damage to the PDL during procedures
- Understanding how changes in PDL structure affect tooth movement and stability
- Recognizing signs of PDL damage in periodontal disease
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz covers the essential aspects of the periodontal ligament, including its anatomy, functions, and characteristics. Explore how the periodontal ligament connects teeth to the alveolar bone and its role in sensory perception and nutrient supply. Learn about the average width of the PDL and how it varies under different loading conditions.