How to Fix Black Triangles and Improve Oral Health

We can help you fill in the gaps!

Many people get annoyed by the spaces between their teeth and gums called black triangles (BTs) and diastemas.

We call them black triangles because frequently these spaces between the teeth near the gums appear dark due to the lack of light reflecting from the inside of your mouth.

Some BTs and diastemas are very large and obvious to everyone when a person smiles. Some are small and only noticeable to the individual themselves. Whatever the case, they may not only cause someone to feel self-conscious when they smile, but they can also impact your oral health.

There are various scenarios that can cause BTs and diastemas in the front or back teeth including:-

• Periodontal (gum) disease causing bone loss around the teeth
• Periodontal treatment that removes gum tissue
• Aging
• Patient habits
• Orthodontic treatment
• Missing teeth that cause other teeth to shift

BTs are more commonly seen these days since more adults are getting orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic straightening of the teeth is great for oral health as it makes the teeth easier to clean, aligns the bite, and can prevent further breakdown and unnecessary wear of the teeth. Occasionally, when crooked teeth are “unraveled” and straightened, the gums may not move with the teeth and fill in the spaces near the gum line. Statistics estimate that 40% of adult orthodontic cases could result in black triangles being created somewhere in the mouth.

BTs also often result after periodontal gum surgery that removes the tissue around the teeth in order to enable the patient to thoroughly clean below the gum line. Some people feel this leaves their smile unsightly and may not be aware that there are options to fill in the spaces.

As I mentioned before, these BTs and diastemas can range from being a casual cosmetic concern to being an obstacle to optimal oral health.

BTs and diastemas between the teeth can create areas that pack food and increase the risk of trapping plaque. When plaque isn’t consistently cleared from the tooth surface, cavities or even more costly dental treatment may arise.

Furthermore, packing food between your teeth can cause inflamed gums and bone loss around the teeth, called periodontal disease. Bone is the foundation of what keeps your teeth in your mouth. When bone is lost, it generally can’t grow back and that can lead to tooth mobility and even tooth loss.

Patients have also reported experiencing wedging pressure from packing food horizontally in their BTs while eating. And many people find it embarrassing when air or saliva escapes through the BTs or diastemas when speaking or singing.

What are the choices?

Traditionally, the only options a patient would be given to remediate their BTs or diastemas were to do crowns or veneers. Either of these options removes a substantial amount of natural tooth enamel and many of the patients that come to see Dr. Azouz at Sacramento Natural Dentistry seek to conserve as much of their tooth structure as possible.

For this reason, Dr. Azouz is excited to offer the most conservative approach available to “fill in the gaps”. It is called BioClear Direct Composite treatment.

The non-invasive BioClear technique ONLY ADDS to your natural tooth rather than reducing it!

Here are some additional benefits of the BioClear technique:

• Smooth contours under the gums can create aesthetic gum tissue adaptation
• Increased gum tissue health because the food and plaque traps are mitigated
• The smooth finish decreases calculus build up
• Creates a protective covering of the roots which can reduce sensitivity
• Permanent restorations are completed in just one day
• Broad contacts between the teeth can help stabilize the teeth that have been orthodontically straightened to prevent relapse of crowding

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for this conservative approach to “filling in the gaps” with BioClear Direct Composite treatment, we would love to set up a time to consult with you over a video or in-office consultation at Sacramento Natural Dentistry in Citrus Heights, California.

Written by Angela Goldthwaite, RDAEF2