What is a black triangle between the teeth?
Black triangle is a term used
to describe a cosmetic dental problem.
Let's explain the black triangle by using the example of a
diastema closure by direct bonding. Pre-operatively, you have a diastema, let's say, of
three millimeters. To treat this, you add a millimeter and a half of
composite to the mesial of each central. But in shaping this diastema
closure, you leave the gingival embrasure so open that it isn't filled by
the gingival papilla. You have created a black triangle. When the
patient smiles wide enough to see the gingivae, there will be a triangular
area between the teeth that will appear black because there is no gingival
tissue there. To fix it,
you need to re-do the bonding so that it hugs the gingival papilla more.
Black triangles can be created with bonding or with
porcelain veneers. If you have maxillary anterior teeth with multiple
spaces between them and your preparations are entirely on the labial
surfaces of the teeth, you make it impossible for the laboratory
technician to eliminate the black triangles between the teeth. Your
preparations need to wrap around the teeth somewhat, and the margins need
to be apical enough, especially in the
gingival areas, so that you give the technician the ability to add some
bulk in these areas.
Click here to learn how to find a cosmetic dentist skilled enough to fix a
black
triangle.
Click here to find
books about cosmetic dentistry.
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