Will Black Triangles Go Away
Patients often desire a great smile with straight, pearly white teeth. A good smile helps boost the patient’s confidence and self-esteem. Various issues can a patient’s smile, including the black triangles which can appear between the tops of the teeth. While the black triangles are unattractive, they can also make a patient more prone to tooth decay and gum diseases.
The clinical term used for black triangles is open gingival embrasures. The black spaces which appear a triangle shape are located at the top of the teeth between the tooth and gum line. When a patient smiles, the black triangle can be especially visible. The triangles can appear over time as a patient ages, as the result of aggressive brushing, and due to other issues such as gum disease.
These gaps can trap food and cause the accumulation of plaque, food debris, and stains. Over time, the accumulation of food and plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease. In severe cases, the triangles can actually impact the patient’s ability to speak clearly and cause spitting while the patient speaks.
Below are common causes for black triangles appearing between teeth:
1. Dental Hygiene: The gum tissue is quite sensitive. When patients use a firm toothbrush or brush too aggressively, it can cause issues. Over time, rigorous brushing can damage the gums, causing them to form black triangles.
2. Receding Gums: The gum tissue actually binds the teeth together and fills the space that exists between the teeth. The following factors can result in gums shrinking or pulling away from the teeth: age, smoking habits, and gum disease. When the gums start to shrink, it exposes the roots and can make them susceptible to bacteria, plaque, and cavities.
3. Bone Loss: A loss of bone near a tooth’s base can potentially cause gum disease, osteoporosis, and other conditions. And, when the bone is lost, it affects the gum tissue (which may also recede). Hence, the formation of black triangles takes place.
Treatment
Various treatment options are available to eliminate or minimize black triangles between the teeth. The proper treatment will depend on the severity and cause of the triangles. The following are common treatment options used to treat these gaps.
Improved Hygiene Techniques
It is important for patients to brush their teeth at least twice daily using proper techniques. Patients should also include daily flossing in their oral hygiene regimen. When the black triangles are in the early stages, improved dental hygiene can aid in restoring the gums and eliminating the gaps.
Composite Resin and Veneers
Some patients opt to have their dentist use composite resin bonding to fill the gaps between the teeth. The dentist can use a pink or tooth-colored resin to fill the black triangles between the teeth and restore a patient’s smile.
A porcelain or ceramic veneer is a common treatment used to improve the appearance of the teeth and eliminate black triangles. Veneers are a thin shell which improve the shape and appearance of the tooth. They are quite durable and can last for up to 20 years when they are properly cared for.
Braces
In some cases, black triangles exist because the teeth are not properly aligned. Braces and other orthodontic treatments can move the teeth into the correct location and reduce or eliminate the triangles altogether.
Hyaluronic Acid
The dentist may recommend hyaluronic acid injections which can aid in regenerating gum tissue. This treatment is minimally invasive and relatively quick, making it a popular solution for eliminating black triangles.
The ideal treatment option will vary based on the cause and severity of the black triangles, in addition to the patient’s oral health. Follow up with your dentist for an evaluation and to determine the best treatment for eliminating the gaps. When patients seek treatment early in the development of the black triangles, it can help ensure the issue is treated quickly and effectively. In cases of gum disease or bone loss, the dentist will need to treat the underlying cause before the black triangles can be properly treated.