Periodontology Anatomy - Gingival fibers
The periodontium includes specialized tissues that serve two functions which include both surrounding and supporting the teeth in order to maintain them in the maxillary and mandibular bones. The word comes from the Greek terms peri-, meaning "around" and -odont, meaning "tooth". When taken literally, periodontium translates to "around the tooth". Periodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on the care and maintenance of these specific tissues. The specialty provides the support needed in order to maintain the function of the teeth. The practice consists of four principal areas which include the following:
- Gingiva
- Periodontal Ligament (PDL)
- Cementum
- Alveolar Bone Proper
The tissues located in the periodontium form together as an active group of tissues. The alveolar bone is surrounded by the subepithelial connective tissue of the gingiva. The connective tissue of the gingiva is then covered by the gingival epithelia. The cementum overlaying the tooth’s root, is attached to the adjacent cortical surface of the alveolar bone by the alveolar crest, horizontal and oblique fibers of the periodontal ligament.
Gingival fibers are the connective tissue fibers which are found in the gingival tissue adjacent to the teeth. They aid in holding the gum tissue firmly against the teeth. They are primarily composed of type I collagen, however, type III fibers are also involved. These fibers connect the tooth to the gingival tissue.
Gingival Fibers Functions
The gingival fibers have the following functions:
- Hold the marginal gingiva against the tooth
- Provide stability to the marginal gingiva
- Stabilize the marginal gingiva by connecting it with both the tissue of the more rigid attached gingiva and the cementum layer of the tooth
Gingival fibers and periodontitis
Gingival fibers help to protect against periodontitis. Once they are compromised, they cannot be regenerated. When the gingival fibers are destroyed, the gingival sulcus will increases in depth apically. This allows debris and bacteria to remain in contact with the delicate sulcular and junctional epithelia over time.
Gingival Fibers
Gingival fibers can be arranged into three different categories.
- Dentogingival group - there are three different types of fibers within the dentogingival group:
- Fibers extending towards the crest of the gingiva
- Fibers extending laterally to the outer surface of the gingiva
- Fibers extending outward, beyond the height of the alveolar crest and downward along the cortex of the alveolar bone
- Circular group - these fibers are unique in that they exist entirely within the gingiva, but do not come in contact with the tooth
- Transseptal group - these fibers are often described as spanning the interproximal tissue between the adjacent teeth, where they are embedded. There are two additional types of fibers included within this group:
- Semicircular fibers: fibers that run through the facial and lingual gingiva around the teeth. The fibers attach to the interproximal surfaces of the same tooth.
- Transgingival fibers: fibers that run between two non-adjacent teeth. The fibers are embedded in the cementum of their proximal surfaces and pass around the tooth in the middle of the two teeth attached with these fibers.