[Dental Health] Are black holes between teeth caused by gum recession? 3 methods to remove black triangles between gums!
When you speak or laugh, dark cavities may appear on your teeth. Besides being unsightly and embarrassing, this can also affect dental hygiene and lead to serious dental problems. What exactly are these cavities? And are there any ways to remove them?
What are black triangular sutures on the gums? How do they form?
"Black triangular gaps" refer to the gaps between teeth near the gum line that appear because the teeth are not effectively covered by the gums.
Causes of black triangular sutures on the gums
(1) Triangular teeth
Normally, teeth are square or rectangular in shape and full, and they are arranged side by side in an orderly manner. If the teeth are triangular in shape, the gums have difficulty filling the top of the teeth. When two triangular teeth are placed together, a noticeable gap will be formed, and the chance of black triangular gaps appearing is greater.
(2) Increased age
As we age, even if we maintain good oral health, our gums will naturally recede, exposing the tooth roots and creating black triangular gaps between the teeth.
(3) After orthodontic treatment
Before orthodontic treatment, the gums between teeth are blocked due to the misalignment of the teeth, resulting in a lower and receding gum height. After orthodontic treatment, although the teeth become more aligned, the position of the gums does not increase due to the treatment, so black triangular gaps may appear after orthodontic treatment.
(4) Incorrect teeth cleaning method
Brushing your teeth too hard or using a toothbrush with bristles that are too stiff can easily scratch your gums, causing inflammation or even recession, and increasing the chances of black triangular gaps appearing on the gums.
(5) Gingivitis and periodontitis
Poor daily oral hygiene, failing to remove food debris and plaque from between teeth, can easily lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. If the gums are severely eroded by bacteria, they will recede, widening the gaps between teeth. Even after periodontal disease heals, the gums may not be able to completely cover the tooth roots, resulting in black triangular gaps.
What are the effects of black triangular gaps in the gums?
(1) Affects aesthetics
Healthy teeth should be aligned neatly, with pink gums tightly connecting them. If dark cavities are visible between the teeth when you open your mouth, it can negatively impact your appearance and self-confidence.
(2) Affects dental cleaning
Besides being aesthetically pleasing, the black triangular gaps between the gums make it easier for food debris to get trapped in the crevices. If not cleaned properly, bacteria and plaque will grow, leading to periodontal disease, tooth decay, and other oral diseases.
(3) Incorrect pronunciation and spitting
If there are gaps between the teeth, the air expelled from the trachea will leak out through the black triangular gap, causing incorrect pronunciation, spitting, or hissing sounds when speaking.
How can black triangular gaps between the gums be repaired?
Black triangular gaps in the gums can be corrected. Doctors generally recommend the following three treatment methods:
(1) Ceramic patches
Ceramic veneers are thin sheets that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. Dentists custom-make veneers based on the shape of each patient's teeth. The process involves grinding away a thin layer of enamel from the tooth surface before bonding the veneer to the tooth. Ceramic veneers effectively cover and fill in dark triangular gaps between the gums and can last approximately 7 to 10 years, although repairs may be necessary later.
(2) Periodontal filling
If black triangular gaps appear due to gum recession, a gum filling procedure can be chosen to improve the localized area of gum recession and eliminate the gaps. During the procedure, the dentist will take a piece of gum from the inside of the patient's upper jaw and transplant it to the receding gum area. Some patients may require artificial materials as grafts, depending on the situation. This method is not suitable for all cases; periodontal fillings are not suitable for patients with large areas of gum loss or black triangles caused by periodontal disease.
(3) Resin repair
Resin restorations involve filling gaps in teeth with resin without grinding or damaging the teeth, preserving the overall tooth structure. Teeth restored through cosmetic dentistry can maintain the same color as natural teeth. If the resin becomes damaged or fades in the future, only the affected area can be repaired. Unlike ceramic veneers, resin restorations are less durable, and may develop black edges or breakage after about 3 years. The surface of resin is also not as smooth as that of ceramic veneers.
(4) Interpoximal reduction of molars or diaphragmatic teeth (IPR)
If black triangles form due to orthodontic treatment, one treatment method is for the dentist to grind away some of the enamel between the teeth during the treatment and then tighten the braces to reduce the number of black triangles. However, it should be noted that even after treatment, a small number of black triangles may still exist; this does not indicate a failure of correction or treatment.
Author: Dr. Chen Haoxian
