Tissues

of the periodon/um

The periodon/um is the func/onal unit of /ssues that surrounds and supports
the tooth. The four parts are the gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and
alveolar bone; the last three make up the a;achment apparatus.

Parts of the gingiva

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Free Gingiva
Gingival Sulcus (Crevice)
Junc/onal Epithelium
Interdental gingiva
A;ached gingiva
Mucogingival junc/on
Alveolar Mucosa

Types of epithelium covering the free

gingiva
2 types of epithelium cover the free
gingiva:

1. Oral Epithelium Covers the free
gingiva from the gingival groove over
the gingival margin. Composed of
kera/nized stra/ed squamous
epithelium.

2. Sulcular Epithelium The con/nua/on
of the oral epithelium covering the
free gingiva. It is not kera/nized.

Fibers in the gingiva (according to their

inser/on and course)
Dentogingival bers (free gingival). From the
cementum in the cervical region into the
free gingiva to give support to the gingival.
Alveologingival bers (a;ached gingival). From the
alveolar crest into the free and a;ached gingiva to
provide support.
Circumferen@al bers (circular). Con/nuous around the
neck of the tooth to help to maintain the tooth in
posi/on.
Dentoperiosteal bers (alveolar crest). From the
cervical cementum over the alveolar crest to blend with
bers of the periosteum of the bone.
Transseptal bers. From the cervical area of one tooth
across to an adjacent tooth (on the mesial or distal
only) to provide resistance to separa/on of teeth.

Fibers in the periodontal ligament

(according to their arrangement)
The collagen bers in periodontal ligament are
named for their loca/on on the root and for
their direc/on.
Apical bers. From the root apex to adjacent
surrounding bone to resist ver/cal forces.
Oblique bers. From the root above the apical
bers obliquely toward the occlusal to resist
ver/cal and unexpected strong forces.
Horizontal bers. From the cementum in the
middle of each root to adjacent alveolar bone to
resist /pping of the tooth.
Alveolar crest bers. From the alveolar crest to
the cementum just below the cementoenamel
junc/on to resist intrusive forces.

Reference
Clinical Prac/ce of the Dental Hygienist, 10th Edi/on