Regarding the methods to visualize the direction of periodontal ligament, two methods have been described in studies related with mouse: Micro-computed tomography (microCT) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).
https://dx.doi.org/10.1073%2Fpnas.1807324115
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2012.10.008
However, to study the effect of force in periodontal ligament in human, studies based on the change in the periodontal ligament mainly the periodontal ligament space would be more feasible. The PDL space can be visualized in micro CT, or volumetric measurement via CBCT or digital radiography having a measuring system can be used.
The arrangement of the fibers of the periodontal ligament is related to their location, remembering that there are different types and based on this and the location of their function.
I leave you this link: http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1699-65852013000100004, in this study the authors talk about the in vitro histomorphometric comparison of the periodontal ligament,