Key Takeaways

• Black triangles (open gingival embrasures) are gaps between teeth near the gum line that can affect both appearance and oral health. Learn more
• Clear aligners can often fix black triangles caused by tooth misalignment by properly repositioning the teeth. Learn more
• Black triangles caused primarily by gum recession or tooth shape may require clear aligners plus other treatments. Learn more
• Interproximal reduction (IPR) performed during clear aligner treatment can be particularly effective for addressing black triangles. Learn more

What Are Black Triangles?

Black triangles, or "open gingival embrasures," are triangular-shaped spaces between teeth that appear near the gum line. The dark appearance comes from the shadow cast in these gaps, creating the illusion of black triangular spaces between teeth.

These spaces develop when the gum tissue (interdental papillae) that normally fills the area between teeth recedes or doesn't completely fill the space. They tend to be most noticeable between the front teeth, where they can significantly impact your smile's appearance.

What Causes Black Triangles?

Several factors can contribute to the formation of black triangles:

1. Misaligned teeth: These can create unusual spaces between tooth surfaces.
2. Gum recession: This is when the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, potentially leaving gaps near the gum line.
3. Bone loss: Specifically in the jawbone, it's frequently associated with periodontal disease
4. Triangular-shaped teeth: These naturally create more space near the gum line
5. Age-related changes: These can cause gum tissue to recede.
6. Poor oral hygiene: This can lead to gum inflammation and recession.

Some have claimed that orthodontic treatments like clear aligners can cause black triangles—but this isn't necessarily true. Teeth-straightening treatment doesn't cause black triangles as much as it reveals them. When previously crowded or rotated teeth are straightened, black triangles can appear simply because there isn't enough gum tissue to fill the space. When this happens, it's often from pre-existing issues like the ones listed above.

Can Clear Aligners Fix Black Triangles?

Usually, but it depends on the underlying cause.

Clear aligners like Linea work by applying controlled pressure to specific teeth, guiding them into proper alignment. When black triangles are primarily the result of misaligned teeth, clear aligner therapy is typically effective at reducing or eliminating them.

Here's how clear aligners address black triangles:

1. Achieving proper alignment: By positioning teeth correctly, clear aligners can create better contact points between teeth, reducing the triangular spaces.
2. Controlled tooth movement: The gradual movement facilitated by clear aligners allows gum tissue to adapt and potentially fill small interdental spaces.
3. Interproximal reduction (IPR): This technique, often used during clear aligner treatment, can be particularly effective for addressing black triangles (more on this below).

However, if your black triangles are primarily caused by significant gum recession or bone loss, clear aligners alone may not completely resolve the issue. In these cases, additional treatments might be needed alongside your clear aligner therapy.

Black triangles are just one of the many alignment issues clear aligners can fix. In fact, clear aligners like Linea can correct a whole range of mild-to-severe misalignments.

What About Interproximal Reduction (IPR)?

Interproximal reduction (IPR) is a technique frequently used along with clear aligner therapy to address black triangles. This procedure involves carefully and painlessly removing a very small amount of enamel from the sides of adjacent teeth.

IPR is particularly effective for treating black triangles because it:

1. Creates space that allows teeth to shift.
2. Enables better contact between teeth, leading to improved gum tissue adaptation.
3. Provides a minimally invasive alternative to more extensive treatments.

Dentists typically administer IPR by sliding diamond-coated strips back and forth between the teeth. This controlled reduction gives teeth more room to shift and come together, reducing the spaces that gums need to fill between teeth. When combined with clear aligner therapy, IPR offers an effective solution for addressing many cases of black triangles without requiring more invasive cosmetic procedures.

When Clear Aligners Might Not Be Enough

While clear aligners combined with IPR can be effective for many patients, they may not completely resolve black triangles in all cases. This is particularly true for people who have:

1. Significant gum recession due to periodontal disease
2. Extensive bone loss
3. Severely misshapen teeth
4. Very large black triangles

In these situations, your dentist might recommend additional treatments in addition to clear aligner therapy. To determine if you're a good candidate for clear aligners, or if another treatment might be a better fit, it's worth consulting with an experienced provider.

Alternative Treatment Approaches

If clear aligners with IPR aren't sufficient for addressing your black triangles, several other treatment options are available. The best approach will depend on the severity of your black triangles, your overall dental health, and your personal preferences. Here are a few common treatments:

Bioclear Method

The Bioclear method has gained significant popularity in Australia for treating black triangles. This technique uses special matrices (forms) to shape composite resin materials to fill in black triangles. Specialized clinics in Australia have been at the forefront of developing and administering this technique.

Dental Bonding

For this method, dentists apply a tooth-colored resin—similar to what they use for fillings— to reshape teeth and fill gaps. They can often complete the procedure in a single office visit, and it's often less expensive than more comprehensive treatments. However, it's not ideal for people who have significant misalignments, particularly crowding or bite issues.

Veneers

These are thin porcelain or resin shells affixed to the fronts of your teeth. They give the impression of perfectly straight, white teeth with no black triangles or gaps between them. Veneers only take 1–2 office visits to administer, but they can cost $250–$3,000 per tooth. Also, dentists have to shave down some of the enamel on the front of each tooth before attaching veneers, which is irreversible.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is essentially moving gum tissue from one area of the mouth to another, typically to address significant recession. It can fill black triangles and improve oral health, but as a surgical procedure, it's more invasive than cosmetic treatments. Plus, it can cost $600–$3,000 per tooth, depending on the complexity of the graft and the oral surgeon's rates.

Dental Crowns

These are tooth-shaped caps that cover up damaged, weak, or misshapen teeth. Sometimes, they can also fill in gaps like black triangles. They're relatively quick to administer, although they can also be pricey—around $1,000–$2,500 per tooth.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are cosmetic injections that people use to give their skin volume and smooth wrinkles. But it can also plump up certain areas on the gumline, filling in black triangles and helping treat gum recession. These injections are often cheaper than other treatments, but they typically only last around 6–18 months before you need to get another shot.

Prevention of Black Triangles

The best way to deal with black triangles is to prevent them from forming in the first place. Good oral hygiene goes a long way—brushing and flossing regularly keeps your gums healthy and less likely to recede. Just remember to be gentle when brushing; scrubbing too hard can actually damage your gum tissue.

Regular dental checkups are also crucial for catching gum disease early, before it has a chance to cause recession. And if you're dealing with crowded or misaligned teeth, getting orthodontic treatment sooner rather than later can prevent black triangles from developing as your teeth shift into better positions.

If you're already in clear aligner treatment, staying on top of your progress photos and following your treatment plan helps catch any potential issues before they become bigger problems.

Linea's Approach to Black Triangles

At Linea, our comprehensive treatment approach considers the possibility of black triangles from the start:

1. Thorough initial assessment: Your local Linea dentist conducts a comprehensive examination of your gum health, tooth shape, and existing spaces, providing our clinical team with detailed diagnostics to create a treatment plan that actively addresses existing black triangles and minimizes the risk of new ones developing.
2. Custom treatment planning: Using advanced digital planning software, we can help visualize how teeth will move and identify areas where black triangles might appear or be resolved.
3. IPR when appropriate: Our dentists are skilled in performing precise interproximal reduction to optimize tooth contacts and minimize black triangles.
4. Clear communication: We discuss the possibility of black triangles appearing during treatment and include this in our informed consent process, ensuring you're fully aware of what to expect.
5. Ongoing monitoring and support: Linea's clinical team monitors your progress through monthly photo uploads via the app and provides 7-day-a-week support. If black triangles become a concern during treatment, our team coordinates with your dentist to make any necessary clinical adjustments.

If you'd like to understand more about what to expect during the complete Linea treatment process, our detailed guide walks through every step from consultation to your final smile.

Final Thoughts

Black triangles between teeth are a common concern that can affect both the appearance of your smile and your oral health. While clear aligners like Linea can effectively address many cases of black triangles—particularly those caused by tooth misalignment—the best approach often depends on the underlying cause.

If you currently have black triangles or are concerned about developing them during treatment, be sure to discuss this during your initial Linea consultation. This allows our clinical team to factor these concerns into your custom treatment plan from the very beginning.

For comprehensive treatment of black triangles, a personalized assessment by a qualified dentist is essential. At Linea, our network of experienced dentists can evaluate your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate treatment approach, whether that's clear aligners alone or a combination treatment. To find out if you're a candidate, or find a Linea provider complete the Linea smile quiz.