Black Triangles Causes and Management: A Review of Literature

Open gingival embrasures often pose complex functional and esthetic problems. Management of open embrasures requires careful evaluation of the underlying causes. A team approach comprising of general dentist, an orthodontist, and a periodontist is critical. The authors reviewed a total of 51 articles including review of the literature using the terms ‘black triangle’; ‘open gingival embrasure’; ‘interdental papilla’ and interproximal contact area’. These articles provided information regarding etiology, diagnosis, and management of black triangles. There are several risk factors leading to the development of black triangles. These factors include periodontal disease, loss of height of the alveolar bone relative to the interproximal contact, length of embrasure area, root angulations, interproximal contact position, triangular-shaped crowns and aging. Treatment of black triangles often requires an interdisciplinary approach, involving of periodontal; orthodontic and restorative treatment.