Are Black Triangles Normal?
There are a few different reasons that a person might develop black triangles in their teeth. These triangular spaces at the root ends of the front four teeth can appear because of spaces between the teeth, roots that have diverged because of orthodontic treatments, aging, and inflammation of or damage to the gums. In some cases, innate factors like the shape of the teeth and the biotype of the gum tissue contribute to the risk of black triangles, but they are also more likely to appear in people who smoke or who have poor oral hygiene. Because of the variety of possible contributing factors for black triangles, which are clinically referred to as open gingival embrasures, only a dentist can determine whether your black triangles are normal or are an indication of an underlying concern that should be addressed. Sometimes, it’s okay to leave black triangles untreated, though the areas are more prone to bacterial accumulation and could increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay if not cleaned diligently and regularly.
There are a few different tooth shapes, and some are more prone to black triangles than others. Regardless of tooth shape, it’s not uncommon for people to have some type of gap or gaps between their teeth. Rectangular teeth, which fit together with parallel edges, aren’t likely to develop black triangles, though there may be gaps between the long edges of the teeth. People with oval teeth regularly have curved spaces between the bottom edges of the teeth, but the tops of the teeth generally make close contact and aren’t prone to black triangles. Triangular teeth, on the other hand, touch at the widest, bottom edge, creating a space at the top of the teeth where the roots enter the gums and jaw. This triangular space is called a black triangle. When the gum tissue is lush and healthy, it can keep the triangular open space from developing; as the gum tissue ages and is subjected to the forces of friction or disease, however, black triangles can easily, normally develop in people with triangular teeth.
If you want to fix your black triangles, your dentist can talk to you about your options. Two of the more common options for repairing black triangles are cosmetic bonding and interproximal reduction, or IPR. Dentists use cosmetic bonding to reshape the teeth, building up the tooth surface at the area of the black triangle and filling in the gap with sculpted composite bonding resin. Once the tooth is reshaped to the patient’s liking, the bonding resin is cured and a new, natural-looking tooth is born. For IPR treatment, your dentist will file off a small portion of the side of your tooth so that the teeth fit together more cohesively, narrowing the dramatic triangle at their tips. This can be effective in less serious cases, though only a small amount of tooth surface can safely be filed before the integrity of the tooth is compromised. When black triangles develop after orthodontic treatment, this is normal and results from the teeth reaching their optimal alignment. If it bothers you, ask your orthodontist if there are other treatments available, or, if you’d prefer, follow up with your general dentist to learn about cosmetic treatments you can use. If you don’t mind your black triangles and your dentist has determined that they’re not a sign of disease or damage, ask your dentist about interdental brushes to help you keep them clean. With gentle, consistent, effective brushing and interdental cleaning, you can keep your black triangles from growing, and cosmetic options will always be there if you decide it’s time.