In this episode of Let's Talk Oral Health, hosts Martijn and Rachel connect with Professor Satoru Yamada, DDS, PhD, from Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, a leading researcher in periodontology and periodontal tissue regeneration.

Prof. Yamada unpacks the science behind PDL homeostasis, explains what happens when inflammation disrupts this balance, and explores how understanding the PDL can sharpen clinical decision-making for dentists and dental hygienists alike.

In this episode, you'll learn:

🟢 What the periodontal ligament is made of, and how it connects tooth to bone.

🟢 The five core functions that the PDL supports

🟢 Why the absence of a PDL around implants changes tactile sensitivity

🟢 How PDL cells maintain balance in health, and what happens biologically once inflammation takes hold.

🟢 Why some patients are more susceptible to periodontal breakdown, and how smoking, diabetes, and nutrition interact with genetic risk.

🟢 How the PDL reflects inflammation, metabolism, and overall systemic health.