Most people don’t think much about their teeth. If they do, they usually think it just somehow sticks into the jawbone with roots that help it stay there. It simply isn’t something most people contemplate. The fact is that your teeth, gums, and jawbone are far more complex and have more components than you may realize. One of the components almost no dental patient knows about is the periodontal ligament. The periodontal ligament is actually very important. Without it, your teeth would not only be unable to stay in your mouth, but they also would not be able to withstand the stress of chewing your food or the grinding or clenching of your teeth.
What Is the Periodontal Ligament?
The periodontal ligament is made of soft tissue. It is made of collagen and also has a neurovascular component. In other words, it contains nerves and vascular components. Vascular components are related to blood flow. Your veins and arteries are vascular components. The periodontal ligaments It is a soft tissue that connects to the outer covering of your tooth’s roots to the bone surrounding your tooth. Without this important connective tissue, your teeth would fall out of your mouth.
Does It Do Something Besides Keeping Your Teeth in Place?
The periodontal ligament serves several functions aside from holding your tooth in place though that is its primary function. It also serves as a kind of shock absorber which is why you can chew and grind your teeth without excessive pain or loss of your teeth.
It also has a remodeling function that is involved with tooth movement. This is why orthodontists can put braces on your teeth to remodel them. It is also involved in the eruption of new teeth. Advanced gum disease can damage the ligament which can result in the loss of a tooth. To find out more information, give our office a call today!
