Cost to Fix Black Triangles?
More people today seek to correct their dental imperfections and improve their smiles. Black triangles between your teeth, called open gingival embrasures, is something people often wish to fix. Repairing these spaces is not just cosmetic. There are also health reasons to correct these gaps.
Nearly 67 percent of adults over the age of 20 have black triangles. It is important to understand how they develop and what you should to do about them, because they can result in further problems with your oral health.
What Causes Black Triangles?
If you notice new gaps forming between your teeth, it is important to discuss them with your dentist.
Black triangles can appear for several reasons, and some causes are related to the health of both your teeth and your gums.
- Gum recession- Pink, plump, healthy gum tissue hugs your teeth, filling the spaces between them.
Age, smoking, and gum disease can cause your gums to recede or pull away from the teeth. This will expose the roots, leaving them vulnerable to plaque, bacteria, and cavities.
- Bone loss- Gum disease, osteoporosis, and other conditions will cause the loss of bone at the base of a tooth. When the bone is lost, the gum tissue can also recede. This leads to black triangles.
- Dental hygiene habits- Gum tissue is sensitive. If you brush your teeth too aggressively, you will damage your gums. You will create black triangles in this fashion.
- Orthodontic treatment- If you have had orthodontic care, small gaps may form as your teeth move into new positions. Parts of the appliance can damage the gums. Research found that the likelihood of adults with braces developing black triangles was 22 percent for upper teeth and 36 percent for the lower teeth.
- Triangular tooth shape- Some people have teeth narrower at the gum line so that the tooth has a more triangular shape. Triangular teeth are more likely to develop black triangles.
- Thin, fragile gum tissue- The thickness of gum tissue varies from person to person. Thin gum tissue is less resilient. If you have a crown, a dental implant, or periodontal surgery, your gums may not restore themselves to their previous fullness.
How Do You Fix Black Triangles?
Depending on the cause and severity of the black triangles, a variety of treatment options exist. Here are several:
- Gentle Dental Hygiene
- Hyaluronic Acid Treatment
- Composite Resin or veneers
- Braces
- Surgical Remedies
The Cost of Fixing Black Triangles
The range of treatments will impact the cost. Depending on the severity of the condition, your dentist, oral surgeon, or periodontist might recommend veneers, hyaluronic acid injections, composite resin bonding, braces, or surgical corrections. If you notice black triangles forming between your teeth, talk to your dentist to decide which treatment makes the most sense in your case.
On an average, you can expect the cost to range from around $300 to $600 per tooth. You might need to replace the bonding every 10 years. Have your dental office check with your dental insurance provider before scheduling the treatment. Some insurers may consider the procedure cosmetic and therefore may not cover the cost.