Clinical Attachment Loss

Question 1

Significance of Measuring Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL)

Answer 1

1. Assessing Disease Status:
   CAL measures the loss or gain of connective tissue attachment to the root surface, providing a standard for recording periodontal disease status.
2. Understanding Severity:
   CAL reflects the severity of attachment loss, though it may not always correlate with pocket depth due to variations in gingival margin position.
3. Differentiating Similar Pocket Depths:
   Teeth with the same pocket depth can have different CAL values, and teeth with different pocket depths can have similar CAL levels, making CAL a more precise diagnostic tool.
4. Monitoring Changes:
   CAL allows clinicians to track attachment level changes on a site-by-site basis over time, aiding in disease progression or treatment evaluation.
5. Evaluating Therapy Effectiveness:
   CAL measurements are critical in determining the success of supportive periodontal therapy, ensuring treatment is effective.
6. Clinical Approximation:
   CAL serves as a direct clinical approximation of connective tissue attachment loss, offering valuable insights into periodontal health.