Periodontal ligament fibres. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of periodontal ligament fibres (red). These fibres,a specialised type of connective tissue,anchor the roots of the teeth to the jaw bone. The enamel,the hard outer covering of a tooth,does not contain any sensory cells,instead the periodontal ligaments do this job. The fibres contain sensors for tension,pressure,temperature and pain. They also help to provide a cushion around the teeth that prevents compression,for example from chewing,from damaging the bone |