Diseases of Tooth Supporting Structures

Periodontium is the functional unit of tissues supporting the tooth including gingiva, the periodontal ligament, the cementum and the alveolar process. The tooth and periodontium are together called as the dento-periodontal unit. The main support of the tooth is provided by the periodontal ligament, which connects the cementum of the root to the alveolar bone or tooth socket, into which the root fits. The main function of the gingiva is to protect the surrounding tissues from the oral environment.Periodontitis is an infection-driven inflammatory disease in tooth supporting tissues (i.e., the periodontium). Moreover, genetics and environmental and behavioral factors are involved in the development of the disease, the exposure of susceptible individuals to its initiation, and the speed of progression