Is there a little space between some of your teeth? If you do, it’s likely due to the presence of black triangles. The little black triangles at the gum line are called gingival embrasures. Because of their negative impact on their appearance, some people avoid showing their teeth when they smile in public. But what, exactly, causes triangular black spots on teeth? Do they function similarly to tooth gaps?
Black Triangle Teeth: What Are They, Exactly?
Black triangle teeth, also known as “open gingival embrasures,” occur when there are spaces between the teeth and the gum line. The unfortunate reality is that a person’s grin might attract unwanted attention. Age is a significant factor in their onset, as is gum/periodontal disease and tobacco use.
Black, triangular teeth may make a person seem older and are a magnet for food particles, plaque, and tartar. This might lead to cavities and gum disease. Because of these triangles, some persons may temporarily lose their voice or spit when speaking.
The following, in conjunction with the services of Emergency Dentists San Diego, may lead to the development of a triangular space in one’s teeth:
- Gum disease-induced receding gums
- Receding gums as a result of a thin tissue biotype
- Aligning teeth with Orthodontics
- How teeth are naturally arranged

Where Do Black Triangles Come From?
The black triangles indicate recession of the gums. Looking between your teeth, you’ll see jagged pieces of gum tissue protruding through the space. These little pieces of gum tissue are called “papillae.” When the papilla is infected or injured, the gum may recede. It will eventually reduce, exposing the neck of your teeth. This is the root reason for the spacing at the gum line. As the gum further recedes, the holes might become more noticeable. Black triangles are what we call them. Their moniker comes from the fact that they seem like little black triangles when you smile in photos or a mirror.
A black triangle and a gap in the teeth may be distinguished based on the gum tissue’s appearance. Black triangles show less gum tissue. As a result of gum recession or bone loss at the base of your teeth, the papilla tissue will be lost if you have the black triangle. The gap between the teeth is not between the teeth but somewhat higher up at the gum line.
How to Prevent a Triangular Gap in Your Smile
Proper dental hygiene may reduce the chance of developing black triangular teeth. The best way to clean teeth and gums is with a soft, little brush head and a gentle massaging motion. Daily interdental cleaning, as prescribed by your dentist or hygienist, is recommended to avoid the formation of a triangular gap between teeth. The dentist can see these triangles during a routine checkup at our San Diego clinic, Emergency Dentists.
Eliminating the Dark Triangles in Your Smile
- If the gum disease is inactive, the patient is not self-conscious of the triangular gap between their teeth, and no treatment is desired, nothing must be done.
- The revolutionary pinhole approach used to fix black triangles between teeth is described here if gum surgery is necessary to restore the triangles.
- Crowns and veneers are the more common and expensive choices.
- The triangular space between your teeth may be closed or narrowed through orthodontic treatment.
- Traditional aesthetic bonding is a painless procedure in which a dentist freehand builds up the patient’s teeth with composite resin to remove black triangles.
- Bioclear matrix technology is an aesthetic bonding that uses composite resin injection molding. It’s comparable to the method described above but more up-to-date, so the final product is of higher quality and will endure much longer.
- This may be the only permanent solution for your bottom teeth. If you want to learn more, check out the Bioclear matrix technique.
You should immediately see a doctor if you have black triangles for teeth.
Black Triangles and Their Consequences
The unattractive and perhaps hazardous black triangles. In terms of appearance, people dislike having spaces between their teeth. People are frequently embarrassed or self-conscious as a result of this. Others find it uncomfortable because it makes their voice sound funny or causes bubbles to form when they speak. In addition, because the disorder reveals more enamel, black triangles may make teeth seem more significant. The black spots on your teeth and gums make you appear older than you are. After eating, it might be frustrating to find particles of food trapped between your teeth.
The potential of black triangles to trap food and debris between teeth is a significant health risk. Tartar and plaque formation is hastened as a result. Cavity and gum disease-causing bacteria feed on plaque and tartar. Plaque may be removed with regular brushing, but tartar removal requires the expertise of a dental hygienist or dentist at Emergency Dentists San Diego. Inflammation brought on by tartar and plaque accumulation at the gum line significantly contributes to further receding gums.
Before BioClear, What Were The Problems With Black Triangles?
Before we had BioClear, we tried to cover up the black triangle problem by bonding. The process would include using composite, a tooth-colored material, and applying it in a “patty-cake” form. This would solve the problem for the time being. Because it requires dry teeth to set, bonding near to and under the gum failed to repair black triangles effectively. The teeth would be contaminated by saliva and other liquids before the Emergency Dentists in San Diego could permanently implant the composite. For a few weeks, everything would seem fine, but then a black line would start to develop just where the tooth meets the gum. In sum, bonding was not a long-term solution to the black triangle problem. Because of this, porcelain veneers are a standard method for addressing the black triangle.
Porcelain veneers were often recommended to patients with black triangles. Porcelain veneers are a viable solution, but they come cheaply and require grinding down healthy tooth enamel. The veneers would make the teeth seem significant, but they may cost up to $2,000 apiece. If that’s what you can afford, go ahead. Even if you succeeded, repairing your teeth would have been prohibitive. Repairing a dark triangle with porcelain veneers requires removing between 2 and 3 millimeters of tooth material from between the teeth and around 1 millimeter on each side of the front teeth. Porcelain veneers need a 25–35% tooth surface reduction to restore the triangle.
Black Triangles May Be Repaired Cautiously With The BioClear Method.
The cosmetic dentist in San Diego specializing in the BioClear process is Emergency Dentists. When fixing black triangles, no other process matches BioClear’s comprehensive approach. The adhesion was weak and discolored. BioClear is durable and non-staining since it is not coated and is kept in ideal isolation. Porcelain veneers were long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing but required removing half of the tooth’s enamel before bonding. Since it is an “additive,” BioClear is painted onto the black triangle area of your teeth. When treating the problem, no healthy tooth tissue is removed or damaged.
Improper dental hygiene, aging, bone loss, gum disease, and the shape and size of a person’s teeth are among the most prevalent causes of black triangles. The appearance of something is one of many elements to take into consideration. Black triangles might be harmful to your health. This means you should make an appointment with your dentist to discuss your concerns about your black, triangular teeth and possible treatments.