Periodontium; Periodontal membrane

Periodontium refers to the specialized tissues that both surround and support the teeth, maintaining them in the maxillary and mandibular bones. The word comes from the Greek terms peri-, meaning "around" and -odons, meaning "tooth." Literally taken, it means that which is "around the tooth". It provides the support necessary to maintain teeth in function. It consists of six principal components namely:

• Ginigiva
• Periodontum protectoris (gingiva)
• Inserting periodontium
• eriodontal fibre (desmodentium)
• Cementum
• Alveolar bone