Black triangles are due to a variety of causes, though the commonality among these causes is that there is insufficient gum tissue to fill in these triangular gaps at the gum line. Sometimes, this is due to gum disease, while in other cases, it’s simply due to the shape of the teeth or the natural robustness of the gum tissue. There are other reasons for black triangles, and determining the underlying cause with a comprehensive dental evaluation is the first step toward creating a treatment plan. Some of these underlying causes require treatment, while others don’t. Likewise, some people with black triangles are bothered by their appearance, while others aren’t. Regardless of whether their appearance bothers you, and regardless of the cause, there are treatments that can reduce or eliminate black triangles and stop their progression.

When black triangles aren’t related to an underlying medical or dental cause, a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures could be used to fix black triangles. Some of these procedures are:

1. Porcelain veneers, which are very thin layers of tooth-colored material cemented to the fronts of the teeth to create a uniform appearance
2. Hyaluronic acid injections that aim to rejuvenate the gum tissue
3. Dental bonding, which uses tooth-colored dental composite to reshape the teeth
4. Gum contouring surgery

When black triangles do have a clear cause, addressing this cause can minimize their appearance and slow their progression, and cosmetic solutions may be advised once the underlying cause has been addressed. When black triangles form because of gum disease, this should be treated promptly for reasons well beyond aesthetics. Black triangles can indicate the loss of bone and gum tissue, which will progress without treatment and could lead to the loss of natural teeth. Once a periodontist has treated the gum disease, the gums may return to their natural position; if they’ve withstood too much damage, the periodontist may recommend gum surgery to replenish gum tissue and keep the tooth roots protected.

Likewise, when black triangles form because of orthodontic treatment, additional orthodontic treatment might be needed to restore the proper alignment of the teeth. If black triangles develop because of improper, overly aggressive brushing and flossing, modified hygiene habits can help stop gum recession and minimize the appearance of black triangles. Your dental hygienist can give you some great guidelines for proper, effective brushing and flossing.

Sometimes, black triangles develop naturally, either because of aging or because of genetics. Our gum tissues naturally recede as we age, and some people simply have particularly thin or delicate gum tissue that’s more prone to irritation and recession. Others have black triangles because of the shape of their teeth; it makes sense that teeth that more noticeably taper toward the tooth roots might have tiny gaps at the gum line. While these may not point to an underlying concern, it’s still a good idea to monitor the health of the gums and the status of black triangles at each dental appointment. This is important because untreated black triangles are ideally positioned to capture food debris and foster the proliferation of bacteria, which can lead to gum disease and even bigger black triangles. So, even if the appearance of your black triangles doesn’t bother you, you might consider fixing them as one step toward greater oral health.

Related Article: What Causes Black Triangles?