Tissues of the Periodontium
Presented by: Rita Ann Classe, RDH, BS
What’s foundation got to do with it?
The Periodontium
What is it? Functional system
of tissues that surrounds the teeth and attaches them to the jawbone
Why is it important? Essential to the
understanding of the normal function of the periodontium, disease prenvention, and the periodontal disease process
Tissues of the Periodontium
Gingiva
Cementum
Periodontal ligament
Alveolar bone
Functions of the Periodontium
Provides seal around cervical portion (neck) of tooth
Holds tissue against tooth during mastication Suspends and maintains tooth in socket Protects underlying dentin Anchors the ends of the periodontal ligament
fibers to the tooth Surrounds and supports the roots of the tooth
Gingiva Provides a tissue seal around the cervical
portions of the teeth and the alveolar processes of the jaw
Gingiva Boundaries:
Gingival margin- coronal boundaryAlveolar mucosa- apical boundary
Demarcations:Free gingival groove- separates free and
attached gingivaMucogingival junction- where attached
gingiva meets alveolar mucosa
Functions of Gingiva
Provides seal around cervical portion of tooth
Holds tissue against tooth during mastication
Anatomical Areas of Gingiva
Free gingiva (unattached or marginal)
Attached gingiva
Interdental gingiva
Gingival Sulcus
Anatomical Areas of Gingiva
Free Gingiva Unattached portion that surrounds tooth in
area of cementoenamel junction (CEJ) Fits closely around tooth but not directly
attached (turtleneck or cufflike) Meets tooth in a thin rounded edge called
the gingival margin Gingival margin follows contours of teeth
creating a scalloped outline
Attached Gingiva Tightly connected to
cementum on cervical third of root and to periosteum of alveolar bone
Lies between free gingiva and alveolar mucosa
Pale/coral pink or light brown/black in color
Stippling (orange peel) texture
Withstands mechanical forces Prevents free gingiva from
being pulled away from tooth
Interdental Gingiva
Fills area between 2 adjacent teeth Facial and lingual Col=valley-like depression that lies apical to
contact area Prevents food impaction
Gingival Sulcus V-shaped, shallow space
around tooth Located between the free
gingiva and tooth surface Base of sulcus formed by
junctional epithelium Depth in health is 1-3mm
One function of the gingva is to provide a seal around the cervical portion of the tooth.
TRUEFALSE
Periodontal Ligament (PDL) Layer of soft connective tissue that covers
root and attaches it to the bone of the tooth socket
Composed mainly of fiber bundles Fibers of PDL attach on one side to the root
cementum and on the other side to the alveolar bone of tooth socket
Functions of PDLSupportive
Sensory
Nutritive
Formative
Resorptive
Cementum
Layer of hard, mineralized tissue that covers dentin surface of root
Light yellow in color Resistant to resorption Receives nutrients from the PDL No nerve or blood supply
Functions of Cementum Anchors PDL to tooth
Protects underlying dentin
Compensates for occlusal tooth
wear
The function of the PDL is to protect the underlying dentin.
TRUEFALSE
Alveolar Bone (Alveolar Process) Bone of the upper or lower jaw that
surrounds and support the roots of the teeth Dependent on presence of tooth
Function of Alveolar Bone
Forms the bony sockets that provide support and protection for the roots of the teeth
Components of Alveolar Bone
Alveolar bone proper (cribiform plate) Alveolus Cortical bone Alveolar crest Cancellous bone (spongy bone) Periosteum
Let’s Review
Let’s Review
Provides seal around cervical portion (neck) of tooth
Holds tissue against tooth during mastication Suspends and maintains tooth in socket Protects underlying dentin Anchors the ends of the periodontal ligament
fibers to the tooth Surrounds and supports the roots of the tooth
Which Foundation Do You Want?
References
Nield-Gehrig, J.S. and Willmann, D.E. (2008). Foundations of Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist, Second Edition. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.