Evolution of periodontal attachment apparatus - Fossils to final forms

The study of tooth attachment evolution establishes relationship between living & extinct forms of life which provides useful evidence for general affinities between related species. Human dentition, established very early in evolution, and has persisted with little change from its evolutionary vertebrates. Evidences have proven a sure link between the human periodontal apparatus and other vertebral animals that have been used to simulate human oral anatomy. The intention of attempting this review is based on the role of animal models used for experimentation prior to human clinical trials. There are few papers dealing with animal models suitable to periodontal research laboratory. Hence an attempt has been made to briefly present the evolution of tooth attachment based on comprehensive of available minimal literature. The current paper deals with evolution through natural selection, evolution of humans, attachment apparatus and tooth attachment have been presented comprehensively. Keywords: evolution; attachment apparatus; periodontal ligament; periodontal evolution.