Severe attachment loss of alveolar bone (TAL)
- Defining characteristics:
Attachment loss is used as an indicator of periodontal disease.
- Common differential diagnoses:
Severe loss of alveolar bone has been identified in the region around the root or roots; four red bars indicate 50% loss or grade 4 periodontal disease, and two red bars indicates between 25% and 50% loss or grade 3 periodontal disease.
- Helpful additional data:
Has there been a decrease in appetite? Or the patient appears hungry but is unwilling to eat?
- Commonly associated treatments:
Consider extracting the tooth if grade 4 periodontal disease. If lower grade, consider perioceutic treatment or root planing.
- Commonly associated home care:
Depending on the tooth removed, consider soft food for 1-2 weeks