Is the set of tissues that fix the tooth, namely: periodontal ligament, alveolar bone and gum. It is also considered as a dental cement over integral periodontium.

The role of the periodontium is very important, because the fact that a tooth is firmly attached is the basis for its smooth functioning, and that the forces of mastication are quite remarkable. In addition, the periodontium is a prominent feature sensitive, as is used to capture the sensations of pressure affecting the tooth. Thus, if when you close your mouth to chew perceive something very hard, for example, a food too hard or lentils in a stone-quickly produced a stimulus through the innervated of periodontium and a response reflects open your mouth: It is a defense mechanism.

The alveolar bone is the part of the jaw bone which is responsible for hosting the teeth. The teeth are included in the bone tissue in some areas called alveoli, hence the name of alveolar bone. Within the maxillary (upper) and the jaw there are two respective areas of alveolar bone: As the teeth are lined up to form arches, we see that areas of alveolar jaw bones also have an arch structure in question.

A peculiarity of the alveolar bone that is its raison are the teeth, that is, when there are no teeth alveolar bone is disappearing. And is that the high walls of the alveoli in those teeth when they are missing, are stunted.

The alveolar bone, bone structure as it is, is a hard tissue. The tooth, which is also a rigid structure, binds to the bone through fibers that are mainly those of the periodontal ligament.

The periodontal ligament is a fiber fabric made up of different kinds, some more elastic and more rigid by function. And is that the tooth is firmly attached to the bone but not completely stuck, and that is thanks to these fibers. The fact that the tooth is not much stuck in the bone gives you some excellent mechanical properties, as it confers a degree of mobility (very small, yes) but that makes it more resilient and effective for the forces of mastication.

Among the fibers of the periodontal ligament is also an abundant blood supply and nerve endings. Of the nerve endings already discussed above, because we are used to capture the sensations of pressure that affect the tooth. Blood vessels, which come from the alveolar bone, come to the fibers of the periodontal ligament and cement, and allowed to feed.

The gum or gingival covers the alveolar bone and eventually join directly to the tooth. It is also a fairly fibrous tissue, which broadcasts the fibers alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and the tooth itself. Within the gum areas are differentiated according to their location and function, as well as the gum tissue bonding to the tooth, is a tissue of transition for the rest of the epithelium of the mouth. In fact, it could be considered a part of the oral mucosa that is specialized and has become more fibrous to facilitate binding to the teeth and to resist the pressures of food during chewing.

Also gum has a very significant role aesthetics. In fact, looking a smile, not only we look at the teeth but the gums. Some very red gums are not healthy and this will draw attention and can make some white teeth and well-aligned may not seem attractive. There is also what we call the architecture of the gums, which is that the arcs gum in the necks of the teeth, must have a form and altitudes on a certain harmony to convey.

The virtual space between the tooth and gum maintains and releases a fluid that is called serous fluid clevicular or crevicular fluid. This liquid clevicular is an important actor for his role in drag debris and microbes from this virtual space, as well as by its content of substances in immune defense against infectious agents that could colonize the periodontium. The fluid secreted clevicular joins the secretion of the salivary glands to make saliva.

It is very important to keep the gums healthy, as are the external part of the periodontium and make protective barrier for the rest of the tooth tissue clamp.