Clinical attachment loss

Clinical Attachment Loss

Clinical attachment loss (CAL; /ˈklɪnɪkəl əˈtæʧmənt lɔːs/), also known as periodontal attachment loss, is a key indicator in the progression of periodontal disease. It refers to the displacement of the periodontal ligament from its original position on the tooth root surface. The term is derived from the Greek words klinikos meaning "bed", attach meaning "to fasten", and loss meaning "the fact of no longer having something".

Overview

Clinical attachment loss is a critical measure in periodontology, the branch of dentistry that deals with the structures supporting the teeth. It is used to assess the severity of periodontal disease and to monitor the effectiveness of periodontal therapy.

Measurement

The measurement of clinical attachment loss is done using a periodontal probe. The probe is inserted into the periodontal pocket, and the distance from the base of the pocket to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) is measured. This distance represents the amount of attachment loss.

Related Terms

Periodontal disease: A set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth.
Periodontal ligament: A group of specialized connective tissue fibers that essentially attach a tooth to the alveolar bone within which it sits.
Periodontal pocket: Pathological deepening of the gingival sulcus, a space between the tooth and the surrounding gingival tissue.
Cementoenamel junction (CEJ): An anatomical border identified on a tooth, which is the location where the enamel, which covers the anatomical crown of a tooth, and the cementum, which covers the anatomical root of a tooth, meet.

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Clinical attachment loss