How does a gomphosis joint hold a tooth in its socket?

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Medical illustration of a human knee joint in a parasagittal section just lateral to the midline, labeling ligaments, cartilage, meniscus, patella, synovial structures, and surrounding muscles and fat pads. — joint The ligaments and cartilage in a knee joint.

A gomphosis is a specialized fibrous joint that secures a tooth within its socket in the mandible or maxilla through a peg-and-socket mechanism.1

The tooth root acts as the peg, which is held in place by bundles of collagen fibers that extend from the socket wall to the root. These fibers are components of the periodontal membrane. This arrangement provides just enough space to allow the tooth to be pressed slightly deeper into the socket during biting or chewing, which helps absorb impact, facilitates the circulation of blood and lymph, and triggers sensory nerve signals that assist in regulating the muscles used for mastication.1