What Causes Black Triangles?
When we talk about black triangles, we are referring to the spaces that form between the teeth, caused by a total or partial retraction (loss) of the gum. In a state of optimal dental health, these spaces have a filling of interdental papilla (gum), when they are present there is a much more pleasant and natural smile, the presence of black triangles contributes to having a smile with an older appearance.
The most common cause of the appearance of black triangles is the presence of periodontal disease, since it is an infectious and inflammatory process that destroys the bone structure but also the soft tissue that surrounds the teeth. After carrying out a correct treatment to address periodontal disease and eliminate bacteria, microorganisms and be able to reduce inflammation of the surrounding tissue, the appearance of these black triangles is very normal.
When these black triangles appear, the smile will be altered, affecting first of all the aesthetics of the smile, speech can also be conditioned and they can lead to annoying dental sensitivity.
Despite the innumerable advances that have occurred in the dental world, there is still no advance that can regenerate or form the papillae (gum between the teeth) , not even mucogingival surgery has achieved this.
That is why to treat the appearance of black triangles there are other treatment alternatives, although in most cases patients require a combined treatment in which three specialties will act: periodontics, orthodontics and dental aesthetics, to achieve transform the aged smile that has been acquired with the presence of these triangles.
Periodontics will be responsible for restoring the health of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth, which is why it will be the first of the specialties to act, it will be in charge of stopping periodontal disease.
From this point, two treatment options are considered: orthodontics or dental aesthetics. In order to select the best option, we will carry out a detailed study of the patient's smile, especially analyzing what the black triangles are like. A clinical and photographic examination will be essential.
In case of performing orthodontics, the objective of this treatment will be the closure of spaces through the application of appliances, with light forces. During the time that the orthodontic treatment is being performed, it is very important that the patient is periodontally controlled by attending maintenance visits. and gum control.
Another treatment option is to resort to the area of dental aesthetics with the application of dental veneers, whether made of porcelain or composite, which will close these uncomfortable and unsightly spaces. This aesthetic treatment has the great advantage that it takes much less time to close the spaces compared to orthodontic treatment, in addition to being less painful for the patient. And another great advantage that is available when performing veneer treatment is that we can change or return a more aesthetic color to our teeth, so with a single treatment we can modify the anatomy and color, achieving the closure of spaces and achieving a uniform color for our teeth.
The most important thing in both cases of treatment, whether the option of orthodontics or the option of dental aesthetics is selected, is that the patient will be able to show off a healthy and aesthetic smile, re-establishing a harmonious, rejuvenated and beautified smile .