Suprabony Defect
Pronunciation: soo-pruh-BOH-nee
A periodontal bone defect in which the base of the pocket lies coronal to the alveolar bone crest, associated with horizontal bone loss.
Full Definition
In a suprabony defect the pocket epithelium and connective tissue base reside above the level of the alveolar bone, and bone loss occurs in a predominantly horizontal pattern. This contrasts with intrabony defects, where the pocket base is apical to the crest. Suprabony defects are typically associated with generalised chronic periodontitis and are less amenable to regenerative therapy than intrabony defects. Editors encountering descriptions of bone loss patterns should verify that the correct anatomical relationship between pocket base and bone crest is described.
Usage
Usage note: Standardise hyphenation: 'suprabony' (no hyphen) is the standard form. Confirm the correct anatomical relationship is stated relative to the alveolar crest.
In Context
- "The generalised horizontal bone loss pattern was consistent with suprabony defects throughout the posterior quadrants." — Radiographic interpretation report
- "The treatment plan should reflect that suprabony defects have limited regenerative potential compared with intrabony defects." — Periodontic treatment summary