Assessment of the Alveolar Bones’ Unique Structure and Impact on Periodontology

Abstract

The composition and structure of bones is important to the function of the periodontal ligament (PDL) in particular and to tooth movement overall. One bone crucial to the arrangement of teeth is the alveolar process, which connects teeth to the jawbone through intramembranous bone formation housing the cementum. Comprising of both cortical bone and cancellous bone, the alveolar process is unique in function as it is able to endure tension during mastication by working with the PDL Seeing that alveolar bone can endure tension and compression forces provokes question towards how the composition and structure influences this bone. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, collagen II, IX, and XI, have all been found in the alveolar bone; these are a set of tissue specific collagens that are found at low levels in intramembranous bone. Identifying this type of collagen in the alveolar bone is unusual as it is mainly found in cartilage and the vitreous humor in the eye. These observations will provide insights into the connection between collagen in the alveolar process and basic structure‐function relations of the tooth‐PDL‐bone system, while establishing a better understanding of tooth movement reactivity and the development of treatments to periodontal diseases. Support or Funding Information Harvard School of Dental Medicine AFM project