Anatomy
Alveolar bone
Alveolar bone is the part of the jawbone that surrounds and supports the roots of your teeth. It holds each tooth in its socket.
The alveolar bone is the ridge of the jaw that contains the tooth sockets. Each root sits in a socket, and fibers of the periodontal ligament tie the tooth to the bone wall.
This bone can be damaged. Gum disease can break down the bone and tissue that support the teeth. Less bone can make a tooth loose.
Dentists look at the bone on x-rays. If you want to know how much support your teeth have, ask at your next exam. You can also read about bone loss.