What is the periodontium and what is the role of the periodontal tissue?

The periodontal tissue is the tissue that supports the teeth. It connects the teeth with the surrounding bone tissue and enables an optimal transfer of chewing forces from the teeth to the surrounding bone.

The loss of periodontal tissue causes the receding of gums and bone tissue, which in the end leads to a loss of tooth. For these reasons, the preservation of the supporting tissue is very important, at least as important as the preservation of the hard tooth substance, enamel and dentin from caries. It is estimated that nowadays, in adult age, the teeth are more frequently affected by periodontal diseases than caries.