- The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a specialized connective tissue that connects the tooth to the alveolar bone, playing a crucial role in maintaining tooth stability and absorbing mechanical forces during mastication.
- Among the various fiber groups present in the PDL, the oblique fibers are the most abundant and functionally significant.

- The oblique fibers are oriented at an angle, running from the cementum to the alveolar bone in a diagonal direction.
- These fibers primarily resist vertical masticatory forces, preventing the tooth from being driven deeper into the socket.
- Their design allows them to absorb and distribute compressive loads, making them essential for tooth support and shock absorption.
- Other fibers such as the alveolar crest, horizontal, and apical fibers have specific roles, but they are less numerous compared to the oblique fibers.
- Alveolar crest fibers help resist tooth extrusion and lateral movements near the cervical part of the tooth.
- Horizontal fibers resist lateral forces.
- Apical fibers prevent the tooth from tipping and resist forces at the root apex.

Thus, the oblique fibers form the greatest quantity of the periodontal ligament fiber groups, making them fundamental to periodontal health and function.

Reference: Carranza’s Clinical Periodontology, Volume 1, Chapter 3: The Periodontal Ligament / Page 59