1. Tissues of the Periodontium
Presented by: Rita Ann Classe, RDH, BS

2. What’s foundation got to do with it?

3. The Periodontium What is it? Why is it important?
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

4. Tissues of the Periodontium
Gingiva
Cementum
Periodontal ligament
Alveolar bone

5. 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

6. Gingiva
Provides a tissue seal around the cervical portions of the teeth and the alveolar processes of the jaw

7. Gingiva Boundaries: Demarcations: Gingival margin- coronal boundary
Alveolar mucosa- apical boundary
Demarcations:
Free gingival groove- separates free and attached gingiva
Mucogingival junction- where attached gingiva meets alveolar mucosa

8. Functions of Gingiva Provides seal around cervical portion of tooth
Holds tissue against tooth during mastication

9. Anatomical Areas of Gingiva
Free gingiva (unattached or marginal)
Attached gingiva
Interdental gingiva
Gingival Sulcus

10. Anatomical Areas of Gingiva

11. 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

12. 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

13. Interdental Gingiva Fills area between 2 adjacent teeth
Facial and lingual
Col=valley-like depression that lies apical to contact area
Prevents food impaction

14. 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

15. One function of the gingva is to provide a seal around the cervical portion of the tooth.
TRUE
FALSE

16. 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

17. Functions of PDL
Supportive
Sensory
Nutritive
Formative
Resorptive

18. 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

19. Functions of Cementum Anchors PDL to tooth Protects underlying dentin
Compensates for occlusal tooth
wear

20. The function of the PDL is to protect the underlying dentin.
TRUE
FALSE

21. 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

22. Function of Alveolar Bone
Forms the bony sockets that provide support and protection for the roots of the teeth

23. Components of Alveolar Bone
Alveolar bone proper (cribiform plate)
Alveolus
Cortical bone
Alveolar crest
Cancellous bone (spongy bone)
Periosteum

24. Let’s Review

25. 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

26. Which Foundation Do You Want?

27. References
Nield-Gehrig, J.S. and Willmann, D.E. (2008). Foundations of Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist, Second Edition. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.