Gomphosis

Gomphosis is a type of fibrous joint that binds a tooth to its socket in the jawbone. It is a peg-in-socket arrangement in which the root of a tooth fits into the alveolar socket of the maxilla or mandible. The connection is maintained by the periodontal ligament, a dense connective tissue that anchors the tooth cementum to the surrounding alveolar bone. Sharpey's fibers extend from the ligament into both cementum and bone, helping stabilize the tooth while allowing very slight movement under functional load.

This joint is characterized by the absence of a joint capsule and a synovial cavity and is classified as a fibrous joint, specifically a synarthrosis, meaning it is essentially immobile under normal conditions. The periodontal ligament accommodates normal forces during chewing and helps absorb shock, transmitting forces from the tooth to the surrounding bone.

Clinical relevance centers on dental health. Periodontal disease and trauma can compromise the periodontal ligament and supporting bone, leading to tooth mobility or loss. Understanding gomphosis also informs approaches to dental restoration and implants, which aim to replicate the function and stability of natural tooth sockets. Developmentally, gomphosis forms as teeth erupt and become anchored in alveolar sockets, with the periodontal ligament establishing the dynamic, yet largely immobile, attachment that characterizes this joint.