Periodontology Anatomy - Gingival fibers

The periodontium is the specialized tissues that provide two functions, surrounding and supporting the teeth. In addition to maintaining them within the maxillary and mandibular bones. The word is derived from the Greek terms peri-, which means "around" and -odont, which means "tooth". In a literary sense, periodontium translates to "around the tooth". Periodontics is the dental specialty that specifically docuses on the care and maintenance of these specific tissues. The specialty provides the support that is necessary to maintain functioning teeth. The practice consists of four main components which include the following:

1. Gingiva
2. Periodontal ligament (PDL)
3. Cementum
4. Alveolar bone proper

The tissues found in the periodontium combine together to form an active group of tissues. The alveolar bone is almost completely surrounded by the subepithelial connective tissue of the gingiva. The connective tissue of the gingiva is covered by the various characteristic gingival epithelia. The cementum, which overlays the tooth’s root, is attached to the adjacent cortical surface of the alveolar bone. It is attached by the alveolar crest, horizontal and oblique fibers of the periodontal ligament.

The gingival fibers are the connective tissue fibers found in the gingival tissue next to the teeth. They help hold the gum tissue firmly against the teeth. They primarily consist of type I collagen, but type III fibers are also involved. These fibers attach the tooth to the gingival tissue.

Functions of the gingival fibers

The primary purpose of gingival fibers includes the following tasks:

• Hold the marginal gingiva against the tooth
• Provide the marginal gingiva with stability
• Serve to stabilize the marginal gingiva by connecting it with both the tissue of the more rigid attached gingiva in addition to the cementum layer of the tooth

Gingival fibers and periodontitis

Gingival fibers work to protect against periodontitis and once they are compromised, they cannot be regenerated. When the gingival fibers are destroyed, the gingival sulcus increases in depth. This allows more debris and bacteria to remain in contact with the delicate sulcular and junctional epithelia.

Types of gingival fibers

There are three different categories used to arrange gingival fibers.

• Dentogingival group: there are three different types of fibers within the dentogingival group:
  • Fibers which extend towards the crest of the gingiva
  • Fibers which extend laterally to the outer surface of the gingiva
  • Fibers which extend outward, past the height of the alveolar crest, and then downward along the cortex of the alveolar bone
• Circular group: these fibers are unique because they exist entirely within the gingiva, however, they do not contact the tooth
• Transseptal group: these fibers are usually described as spanning the interproximal tissue between adjacent teeth, where they are embedded. Two additional types of fibers are included within this group:
  • Semicircular fibers - fibers that run through the facial and lingual gingiva around each tooth. The fibers attach to the interproximal surfaces of the same tooth.
  • Transgingival fibers - fibers that run between two non-adjacent teeth. The fibers are embedded in the cementum of their proximal surfaces and pass around the tooth in the middle of the two teeth attached with these fibers.