Can Black Triangles Be Fixed?
If you have open gingival embrasures, which are more commonly known as black triangles, their appearance may bother you. Even if you don’t mind the way they look, your dentist might recommend treating your black triangles, as these spaces between the teeth are more prone to gathering food debris and bacterial plaque that leads to gum disease and tooth decay. Black triangles have a few different causes, but they usually appear as a side effect of gingival, or gum tissue, recession. Gum recession can occur as a result of inflammation in the tissues or damage to the gums; sometimes, the shape of the teeth makes a person more prone to black triangles, and gum recession due to damage or inflammation simply speeds up the inevitable. Some habits, like smoking or brushing too aggressively, speed up the process of gingival recession, though it can also be a sign of gum disease or bone loss. An evaluation with your dentist can help determine the cause of your black triangles.
In light of the varied factors that combine to contribute to black triangles, there are also a variety of treatments for the issue. If you notice these telltale gaps appearing at the tops of your teeth, make sure to see your dentist. If your incisors, which are the four front teeth, are narrower at the gums than they are at their biting surface, you are more likely to develop black triangles simply because of your tooth shape. In most cases, however, black triangles are a sign of an underlying health issue, and your dentist can address the underlying issue and plan the best course of treatment to restore the appearance and integrity of your smile. Sometimes, braces or another orthodontic treatment can improve the appearance of black triangles, and sometimes, orthodontic treatments like braces can cause black triangles to appear. In most cases, continued or additional orthodontic treatments can resolve the problem. Bone loss at the bases of the teeth can also cause black triangles and is usually a sign of gum disease or osteoporosis; in these cases, the underlying medical issue will be addressed before cosmetic treatments will be recommended to fill in the triangle shapes.
When black triangles appear because of aggressive brushing and flossing, it might be possible to halt their progression by adopting gentler, more effective oral hygiene techniques. Your dentist can help you learn how to brush and floss properly and reduce the likelihood of damaging the gums. Damaged tissue won’t grow back, but proper techniques can keep your black triangles from growing. Some dentists also use hyaluronic acid injections to regenerate depleted gum tissue and close off the area of the black triangle with supple gingival tissue. If the appearance of your black triangles bothers you, or if your dentist has determined that your oral hygiene is compromised because of them, there are a few ways to fill in the gaps. Treatments include bonding tooth-colored composite dental resin onto the teeth to reshape them, or reshaping and resizing the teeth with dental veneers made of composite or porcelain. You and your dentist can discuss the best approach for addressing your black triangles and improving and maintaining the health of your oral cavity.