The periodontium
The periodontium is also called periodontal apparatus. Its components are the periodontal membrane (desmodont), root cement, gingiva and alveolar bone. The periodontium integrates the tooth and anchors it firmly in the bone.
The root cement consists of 61% minerals, 27% organic substances and 12% water. The cement contains collagen fibers. These are on the one hand the von-Ebner fibrils and on the other hand the Sharpey fibers, which come from the outside of the periodontium.
The periodontal membrane is the last layer before the bone follows. It serves to anchor the tooth in the tooth socket, as well as for nutrition, sensitivity and defense and consists of interwoven collagen fiber bundles. The most important cells are the Sharpey fibers that run through the periodontium.
They pull from the alveolar bone to the root cement and cause the bone to be loaded with a tensile force when the tooth is loaded. The alveolar bone consists of three structures. One is the alveolar wall, which is permeable to nerves, lymphatic and blood vessels. The outer part is formed by the cortical bone and the inner part by the spongiosa, which is filled with fat marrow.
Function of the teeth
The main task that is probably attributed to teeth is their chewing function. Everything we eat is crushed by them. Almost every food, no matter how solid it is, is chewed so that it can pass through the oesophagus in the next step.
But that is by no means all. In addition to their chewing function, they also perform important tasks in pronunciation, i.e. phonetics. For example, a malpositioned tooth can promote a faulty sound, such as lisping.
But singing, laughing and making music would also be impossible without our 28 little helpers. Besides these tasks, they also fulfill an important aesthetic characteristic. Healthy, white and vital teeth make a face look equally attractive and likeable. They are a sign of vitality and health. Therefore, daily dental care is not only a removal of food remains, but also a kind of beauty treatment.
