ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -According to Auluck, 5 widening of the PDL space is due to the involvement of the masticatory muscle, which becomes bulky, leading to an increased occlusal load and primary trauma from occlusion. Mehra6 suggested that an increase in the collagen synthesis in scleroderma may be the possible cause of PDL space widening.

Detailed explanation-2: -Periodontal disease occurs when the plaque bacteria gives off toxins, which irritates the gum and bones and causes them to recede from the tooth. Periodontal disease can impact the periodontal ligament, which attaches the tooth to the alveolar bone, and therefore may result in tooth loss (Ritchie and Kinane, 2003).

Detailed explanation-3: -When a patient develops periodontitis, the gum tissue recedes from the teeth creating pockets. Disease causing bacteria accumulate in the pockets leading to an infection that if left untreated, destroys bones, ligaments, and tissues in the mouth and could ultimately result in tooth loss.

Detailed explanation-4: -Alveolodental ankylosis is the fusion of cementum or root dentin with alveolar bone and is characterized by the loss of the periodontal ligament, which is replaced by bone tissue.