As movie star smiles are becoming more popular, many people seek to correct their dental imperfections. Take a closer look at your front teeth. Do you notice tiny gaps between your teeth that look like a black triangle? Don’t worry if this is the case for you.
Black triangles between your teeth are called open gingival embrasures. You can always repair them. Moreover, correcting these openings isn’t only cosmetic because there are significant health reasons to fix those gaps. Let’s talk about black triangles between teeth in detail and learn about their causes and treatments.
What are Black Triangles Between Teeth?
A dental black triangle, also known as open gingival embrasure, occurs between two teeth when space is not entirely filled by gum tissue. This creates a dark triangular space between your teeth and gums.
Developing black triangles between teeth is a common condition. Around 67 percent of people over the age of 20 have black triangles in the United States. However, if left untreated, these black triangles can cause more severe oral health issues. For this reason, it’s essential to know what causes them and how to get rid of them to avoid dental complications.
Causes of Black Triangles
Black triangles can appear between your teeth for numerous reasons. These underlying causes include a person’s oral anatomy and their oral health condition. According to the British Dental Journal (BDJ), some of the most common causes of black triangles are:
- Gum recession and disease
- Older age
- Diverging tooth roots after orthodontic treatment
- Abnormal restoration shape or tooth crown
- Space between teeth
As gum disease can likely lead to black triangles between teeth, it’s essential to understand what causes this to happen. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), various factors can increase the risk of gum disease. These are:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Crooked teeth (making it hard to clean)
- Genetics
- Tobacco consumption
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Certain medications
Oral Health Risks of Black Triangles
As said earlier, a black triangle between your teeth is not just an aesthetic issue. It has various health impacts. As explained in the BDJ article, plaque and food debris can quickly accumulate in these gaps. And this can lead to cavities, dental abscesses, and other severe oral issues. That’s why it’s crucial to get black triangles between teeth treated by a dental professional.
If you notice these spaces between your teeth, please feel free to contact our Cypress Dental office and schedule consultations with one of the best dentists in town.
Treatment Options for Black Triangle between Teeth
Treatment for black dental triangle often requires a multidisciplinary approach due to its complex nature. In other words, your family dentist may need to coordinate with an orthodontist or a periodontist while treating black triangles between teeth.
Following are the treatments that your dentist may recommend, depending on your unique oral needs and condition.
- Surgery
- Tissue engineering
- Tissue volumizing
- Restoration or tooth reshaping
- Pink shaded restorative materials
- Removable gingival veneers
- Orthodontic treatment
However, prevention is always better than cure. The best way to prevent the formation of black triangles between your teeth is to take good care of your gums and teeth. Do so by following good oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing. Also, don’t forget to visit your dentist for check-ups regularly. For more information, please contact us at (832) 427-6620. We will be glad to help you!