Transseptal Fibers and Periodontal Ligaments

Question 1

Describe the location of transseptal fibers

Answer 1

Run downward from the cementum of the interproximal portion of one tooth, across the alveolar crest of bone to the cementum of the interproximal portion of an adjacent tooth

Question 2

What is the primary function of the transseptal fibers?

Answer 2

Hold the teeth in interproximal contact

Question 3

How is blood supplied to the periodontal ligament?

Answer 3

Two ways:

1. Blood vessels that enter the dental pulp through the apical foramen
2. Blood vessels that supply the surrounding alveolar bone, which branch off to penetrate the alveolar wall and enter the ligament to join the vessels arising from the apical region

Question 4

How are nerves supplied to the periodontal ligament?

Answer 4

2 ways:

1. From the nerves just before they enter the apical foramen
2. From the nerves that supply the surrounding alveolar bone

Question 5

What are the general functions of the periodontal ligament?

Answer 5

Formative
Supportive
Protective
Sensory
Nutritive
Resorptive

Question 6

Formative function of periodontal ligament

Answer 6

Formation of cementum (cementoblasts), bone (osteoblasts), and periodontal ligament fibers (fibroblasts)

Question 7

Supportive function of periodontal ligaments

Answer 7

Maintenance of the tooth in its socket in normal relationship to the surrounding soft and hard tissues

Question 8

Protective function of periodontal ligaments

Answer 8

Tooth is suspended in the alveolar socket and protected from the normal mechanical shock by cushion-like action due to the arrangement/curvature of the periodontal ligament fibers

Question 9

Sensory function of periodontal ligaments

Answer 9

• Nerves of the ligament supply the tooth with the protective sense of touch
• Act as sensory receptor necessary for the proper positioning of the jaws during normal function

Question 10

Nutritive function of periodontal ligaments

Answer 10

Facilitated by the blood vessles of the ligaments

Question 11

Resorptive function of periodontal ligaments

Answer 11

When necessary, fibers can destroy both bone and cementum by means of osteoclasts and cementoclasts