Are Black Triangles Normal?
Unless you are someone who has perfectly rectangular teeth that are symmetrically aligned with each other, you most likely have black triangles in your smile. They are normal and natural for most people. As we get older our teeth can shift, our gums can recede and our once bright smiles can fade.
Most people have triangular shaped teeth which do not touch evenly on both sides. The wider part of the tooth touches the wider part of the tooth on either side, but the more narrow part of the tooth near the gumline has a gap on either side. The black triangles are called open gingival embrasures and they are the result of a few different root causes. They will not go away on their own without treatment from a dentist and they may indicate you have an issue affecting your dental health.
Again, black triangles in your smile where your teeth do not touch each other are normal and you may spot them in most people’s smiles when you start looking for them. There are many reasons why you have black triangles, so be sure to talk to the dentist about your specific root cause.
The most common reasons are:
* the spacing between your teeth
* the results from orthodontic treatments
* getting older
* gum disease
* improper dental care at home
* smoking or tobacco use
* pregnancy
While you may think that your black triangles are only problematic aesthetically, they can pose a risk to your long term oral health. Spaces between teeth are where bacteria can grow without disruption. Small bits of food or debris can get stuck in your black triangles and foster the growth of plaque. When plaque and bacteria are not able to be removed with brushing and flossing, teeth are more likely to suffer from cavities and gums can become infected.
Having space between your teeth is better than the alternative of your teeth overlapping; some spacing is healthy. When the dentist talks about closing your open gingival embrasures, there are two main treatment options.
The first treatment choice is interproximal reduction or IPR. The dentist will shave a small portion of your tooth off to allow your teeth to fit together better. There are limits to how much of your tooth the dentist can remove before the tooth is damaged. The dentist will use this treatment if the teeth are overlapping or pushing each other into misalignment.
The second treatment choice is cosmetic bonding for when the teeth are too far apart. The dentist will use a composite resin to help close the gaps. The dentist can match the color of your teeth to the resin to keep the bonding as natural as possible. The resin is applied in thin layers and cured into place with a UV light. The result is a new shape and size for your teeth and smaller black triangles or the absence of them all together. You may end up with the smile you always wanted but never had.