What are supra bony pockets characterized by?

Supra bony pockets are specifically characterized by the base of the pocket being coronal to the level of the underlying bone. This means that the soft tissue destruction and periodontal disease progression occur above the alveolar bone, resulting in a pocket formation that does not involve the loss of bone level to the same degree as in infra bony pockets.

In supra bony pockets, the attachment loss is limited to the gingiva, and the periodontal attachment is located above the level of the supporting bone. This configuration is critical in understanding periodontal disease, as it affects treatment approaches and prognoses. Recognizing that the pocket depth does not extend below the bone level can help clinicians design appropriate interventions without the complexity associated with deeper, infra bony pockets.

The other descriptions do not accurately characterize supra bony pockets, as they refer to conditions like infra bony pockets or other periodontal issues that may imply different pathologies or tissue destruction scenarios. Understanding the distinction between these pocket types is essential for effective diagnosis and management in periodontal practice.