What is the Importance of the Periodontal Ligament?
The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a specialized connective tissue that anchors the tooth to the alveolar bone. It plays a critical role in absorbing mechanical forces during chewing. During professional dental cleaning, care must be taken to avoid damaging the PDL. Histologically, the PDL is composed of collagen fibers, fibroblasts, and blood vessels, which can be visualized using specific staining techniques.
