If the gingival margin is coronal to the CEJ, what should be done to find CAL?

If the gingival margin is coronal to the CEJ, what should be done to find CAL?

• A. Add to the probing depth
• B. Subtract from the probing depth
• C. Leave the probing depth unchanged
• D. Double the probing depth value

Answer: (A)

When the gingival margin is coronal to the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), the clinical attachment level (CAL) is determined by adding the probing depth to the distance from the gingival margin to the CEJ. The probing depth measures how deep the periodontal probe penetrates into the sulcus or pocket of the gum tissue. If the gingival margin is positioned above the CEJ, it indicates a gain in soft tissue, which means that the probing depth must be adjusted to reflect that more of the attachment is present than the probing depth alone suggests. Therefore, the CAL incorporates this additional distance by adding the probing depth to the distance from the CEJ to the gingival margin. This results in the correct calculation of CAL, which is essential for assessing periodontal health and determining treatment needs.

When the gingival margin is coronal to the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), the clinical attachment level (CAL) is determined by adding the probing depth to the distance from the gingival margin to the CEJ.

The probing depth measures how deep the periodontal probe penetrates into the sulcus or pocket of the gum tissue. If the gingival margin is positioned above the CEJ, it indicates a gain in soft tissue, which means that the probing depth must be adjusted to reflect that more of the attachment is present than the probing depth alone suggests. Therefore, the CAL incorporates this additional distance by adding the probing depth to the distance from the CEJ to the gingival margin. This results in the correct calculation of CAL, which is essential for assessing periodontal health and determining treatment needs.