Perio Lecture 2

Questions and Answers

What is the function of cementum?

To attach the tooth to alveolar bone via collagen fibers of the periodontal ligament

What is the periodontium?

A functional system of tissues that attaches the teeth to the jawbone

What is the gingival sulcus?

The space between the free gingiva and the tooth surface

What is the color of the attached gingiva?

Pale or light coral pink Signup and view all the answers

What is the space between the free gingiva and the tooth surface called?

Gingival sulcus Signup and view all the answers

What is the alveolar crest?

The coronal-most portion of the alveolar process Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of cementum?

To attach the tooth to alveolar bone via collagen fibers of the periodontal ligament Signup and view all the answers

What is the alveolar crest located apical to?

The CEJ Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the lymph nodes?

To filter out and trap bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other unwanted substances Signup and view all the answers

What is the periosteum?

A thin layer of connective tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is the constant process of bone formation and resorption known as?

Bone remodeling Signup and view all the answers

What is the lymph from the periodontal tissues drained to?

The lymph nodes of the head and neck Signup and view all the answers

What is the part of the gingiva that is tightly bound to the underlying cementum?

The attached gingiva Signup and view all the answers

What is the fluid that seeps from the underlying connective tissue into the sulcular space called?

Gingival crevicular fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is the alveolus?

The bony socket that houses the root of a tooth Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The periodontium is the functional system of tissues that surrounds the teeth and attaches them to the jawbone.
The periodontium includes the gingiva, the periodontal ligament (PDL), cementum, and alveolar bone.
The gingiva provides a tissue seal around the cervical portions of the teeth and the alveolar processes of the jaws, covers the alveolar mucosa, holds the tissue against the tooth during mastication, and forms the soft tissue lateral wall of the gingival sulcus.
The attached gingiva is continuous with the free gingiva and is the part of the gingiva that is tightly bound to the underlying cementum.
The attached gingiva is a pale or light coral pink color and may be pigmented.
The surface of the attached gingiva may have a dimpled appearance similar to the skin of an orange peel.
The attached gingiva provides mechanical reinforcement to the gingiva and is seen only on the attached and interdental gingiva, not the marginal gingival.
Healthy tissue may or may not exhibit a stippled appearance as the presence of stippling varies greatly from individual to individual.
The gingival sulcus is the space between the free gingiva and the tooth surface.
The gingival crevicular fluid (gingival sulcular fluid) is a fluid that seeps from the underlying connective tissue into the sulcular space.
Cementum is a mineralized tissue that covers the roots of the teeth and serves mainly to attach the tooth to alveolar bone via collagen fibers of the periodontal ligament.
Without cementum, the tooth would fall out of its socket.
Cementum undergoes a continual and slow physiologic process of resorption and repair, which allows for repair of existing cementum and deposition of new cementum and continual reattachment of the periodontal ligament fibers.
The alveolar process or alveolar bone is the bone of the upper or lower jaw that surrounds and supports the roots of the teeth.
The existence of the alveolar bone is dependent on the presence of teeth; when teeth are extracted, in time, the alveolar bone resorbs.
If teeth do not erupt, the alveolar bone does not develop.
The alveolar bone forms the bony sockets that provide support and protection for the roots of the teeth.
The alveolar process:
in a constant process of bone formation and resorption is known as bone remodeling.
accommodates tooth migration, bone apposition, and resorption.
composed of four layers: three layers of hard tissue and covered by a thin layer of connective tissue:
Alveolar Bone Proper (Bundle bone, cribriform plate, lamina dura)
Cortical Bone (Compact bone, cortical plate)
Cancellous Bone (Spongy, trabecular bone)
Connective Tissue: Periosteum
The alveolar bone proper (or cribriform plate) is the thin layer of bone that lines the socket that surrounds the root of the tooth.
The alveolus is the bony socket, a cavity that houses the root of a tooth (alveoli).
The ends of the PDL fibers (Sharpey fibers) are embedded in the alveolar bone proper.
The cortical bone (or cortical plate) is a layer of compact bone that forms the hard, outer wall of the mandible and maxilla on the facial and lingual aspects.
The buccal cortical bone is thinner in the incisor, canine, and premolar regions; cortical bone is thicker in molar regions.
The alveolar crest is the coronal-most portion of the alveolar process.
2 – 3 mm apical to the CEJ
In health, the alveolar crest is located .5 – 1.5 mm apical to (below) the CEJs of the teeth.
When viewed from the facial or lingual aspect, the alveolar crest meets the teeth in a scalloped (wavy) line that follows the contours
The periodontium is a layer of connective tissue that covers the teeth and provides support and protection.
The periosteum houses the roots of the teeth and the alveolar bone forms the bony sockets that provide support and protection.
The lymph nodes filter out and trap bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other unwanted substances to safely eliminate them from the body.
The lymph from the periodontal tissues is drained to the lymph nodes of the head and neck.