The periodontium consists of the investing layer and supporting tissues of the tooth: gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum and alveolar bone. It has been divided into 2 parts: Gingiva : protects the underlying tissuesAttachment apparatus : composed of periodontal ligament, cementum and alveolar bone.Cementum is considered a part of the periodontium because, with the bone, it serves as the support for the fibres of the periodontal ligament. It is the hard bone like tissue covering the anatomic roots of the teeth.Alveolar process is that portion of the maxilla and mandible that forms or...

Saliva constitutes one of the largest secretions of the human body. The interface between saliva and oral tissues is the site of many dynamic reactions that affect the integrity of both the soft and hard tissues of the mouth and it constitutes one of the main natural defense systems of the oral cavity. Saliva often does not receive the attention it deserves. There is hardly any aspect of clinical practice in which the salivary glands and saliva do not play an obvious or hidden role.Therefore, a proper understanding of the anatomy, physiology and functioning of salivary glands is essential for...

The term periodontium arises from greek words "peri" meaning around and "odont" meaning tooth. Tissues that invest and support the teeth are collectively termed PERIODONTIUM. It consists of four principal components: two mineralized (i.e.alveolar bone & cementum) and two fibrous components (i.e. periodontal ligament & gingival),also called THE ATTACHMENT APPARATUS or THE SUPPORTING TISSUES OF THE TEETH. The fibrous investing tissue, covered by keratinized epithelium, which immediately surrounds a tooth and is contiguous with its periodontal ligament and with the mucosal tissues of the mouth....