Supra Bony Pocket vs Infra Bony Pocket

Key Concepts

• Supra Bony Pocket

  • "Supra" means above, and "bony" refers to bone.
  • Characteristics:
    • The junctional epithelium (JE) is above the bone.
    • The base of the probe hits the junctional epithelium.
    • Occurs in cases of horizontal bone loss.
  • Example:
    • A pocket measuring 6-7 mm can be a supra bony pocket when the JE is above the bone.

• Infra Bony Pocket

  • "Infra" means below, derived from "inferior."
  • Characteristics:
    • The junctional epithelium is below the crest of the bone.
    • The base of the probe is apical to the bone in this case.
  • Example:
    • A pocket measuring 7-8 mm can be an infra bony pocket when the JE is below the bone.

Understanding Bone Loss Patterns

• Horizontal Bone Loss
  • Leads to the formation of supra bony pockets.
• Vertical Bone Loss (inferred from context)
  • May lead to the formation of infra bony pockets.

Clinical Implications

• Accurate identification of pocket types is crucial for diagnosing periodontal disease and planning treatment.
• Supra bony and infra bony pockets indicate different underlying bone loss patterns and may require different treatment approaches.