The Connective Tissue Extracellular Matrix and Its Major Components

Abstract

Dentists are concerned with the structures of the oral cavity, the teeth, the oral mucosa, the underlying dermis and the alveolar bone. The dermis beneath the oral mucosa and surrounding the teeth is similar to the dermis beneath the skin. Both are primarily composed of collagen fibers within a connective tissue or stromal matrix. Variants of this matrix are present in the soft and hard tissues of the body, including the teeth, gingiva, periodontium, and alveolar bone. The Sects. 1 and 2 of this introductory chapter describe the gingival stromal matrix and its major components. Sect. 3 describes how the cells and stroma interact. Subsequent chapters describe in detail the structures of the various types of collagen, elastin, and other proteins and proteoglycans that contribute to the matrix (Chap. 6), the synthesis and breakdown of collagen (Chaps. 7 and 8), the structure and synthesis of bone and tooth enamel (Chap. 9), and bone dissolution and turnover related to overall calcium metabolism (Chap. 10).