Periodontal Ligament

The periodontal ligament is a specialised band of fibrous connective tissue that connects the tooth’s cementum to the surrounding alveolar bone. Typically only a fraction of a millimetre thick, it contains collagen fibre bundles, blood vessels and nerve endings that anchor the tooth, absorb and distribute chewing forces, and provide sensory feedback such as pressure and pain.

Clinically, the periodontal ligament is important because damage or inflammation (for example in periodontitis) can lead to tooth mobility, pain and bone loss, while controlled remodelling of the ligament allows tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. Assessment of the ligament through mobility testing, sensitivity checks and radiographic appearance helps guide treatments such as periodontal therapy or root canal treatment, and it is a key consideration when planning dental implants because implants lack a natural periodontal ligament.