Dental Admissions Test (DAT) Practice Test

The periodontal ligament is the main dental tissue responsible for supporting the tooth. It connects the tooth to the surrounding alveolar bone and plays a crucial role in anchoring the tooth securely within the jaw. This ligament contains a network of collagen fibers that helps manage the forces exerted on the teeth during biting and chewing, providing both stability and a slight degree of mobility.

Cementum, while it does play a role in anchoring the periodontal ligament fibers to the tooth root, primarily serves to protect the roots of the teeth and aid in their attachment to the bone. Dentin is the hard tissue that makes up most of the tooth structure and provides support but is not directly involved in the tooth's anchoring to the jaw. Enamel, the outermost layer of the tooth, is the hardest substance in the body and protects the tooth but does not provide structural support for the tooth in the jaw.

In summary, the periodontal ligament is specifically designed to support teeth, making it the correct answer.