Clinical Attachment Level

Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) is a measurement used by dental professionals to assess the health of your gums and supporting structures around your teeth. It indicates the distance from a fixed point on the tooth, usually where the gum meets the tooth (the cemento-enamel junction), down to where the gum attaches to the tooth. This measurement helps determine the extent of gum disease or bone loss. A higher CAL value typically signifies more attachment loss and potentially more advanced gum issues. Monitoring CAL over time helps dentists plan appropriate treatment and track healing progress.