CAL
Also written as: CAL — Clinical Attachment Level
Abbreviation for Clinical Attachment Level; the millimetre measurement from the cementoenamel junction to the base of the periodontal pocket reflecting true tissue attachment loss.
Full Definition
CAL is the accepted abbreviation used in periodontal charting, research literature, and treatment documentation to denote clinical attachment level. Because 'CAL' can also stand for 'calibrated' in other medical contexts, editors should ensure it is expanded on first use in documents intended for non-specialist audiences. In research papers and epidemiological studies, mean CAL is a primary outcome variable. Clinically, a CAL ≥2 mm at a previously healthy site, or a CAL ≥3 mm in combination with other parameters, contributes to staging of periodontitis under the 2017 World Workshop classification. Editors should confirm consistency between CAL values documented in chart notes and those referenced in narrative summaries.
Usage
Usage note: Always expand on first use. Differentiate from 'PD' in documentation; they measure distinct clinical parameters.
In Context
- "Mean CAL improved from 4.2 mm at baseline to 2.8 mm following four sessions of scaling and root planing." — Clinical research abstract
- "Record both PD and CAL at each periodontal re-evaluation to accurately stage disease progression." — Clinical protocol manual