What is an osseous crater?

An osseous crater is specifically described as a two-wall defect that typically occurs between the roots of adjacent teeth. This type of defect presents as a concave area of bone loss, and it is characterized by having two bony walls that support it: one from each of the adjacent teeth. This anatomical configuration is critical to understand because it influences the treatment planning and regenerative approaches taken during periodontal therapy.

Recognizing that an osseous crater is a two-wall defect allows clinicians to evaluate the extent of periodontal disease and the potential for regeneration effectively. The walls of the defect impact how the body may respond to various treatments, such as bone grafts or regenerative techniques. A mid-root defect, a one-wall defect, or a three-wall defect describe different forms of bone loss which possess distinct characteristics and implications for periodontal health and treatment outcomes, further reinforcing the importance of differentiating between these types.