1828; see periodontal.
periodontium per·i·o·don·ti·um (pěr'ē-ə-dŏn'shē-əm)
n. pl. per·i·o·don·ti·a (-shē-ə, -shə)
The tissues that surround and support the teeth, including the gums, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar and supporting bone. Also called alveolodental membrane, peridental membrane.
fleshy tissue between tooth and tooth socket that holds the tooth in place, attaches it to the adjacent teeth, and enables it to resist the stresses of chewing. It develops from the follicular sac that surrounds the embryonic tooth during growth.