Gum recession and bone loss
Periodontitis destroys the bone that supports the papilla, and the gum follows it down. Hard brushing and ageing also cause recession. See receding gums.
Gaps at the gum line
Black Triangles Between Teeth: Why the Gap at the Gum Appears and How It Is Closed
A dark triangle between two teeth at the gum line means the gum no longer fills the space under the point where the teeth touch. The cause decides the fix, so gum health is checked first.
- Gum health checked first
- Bonding, orthodontics or veneers
- Written plan with alternatives
Mention if the triangles appeared after braces or gum treatment; it helps the dentist find the cause.
Quick answer
What are black triangles between teeth?
Black triangles between teeth are small dark gaps near the gum line where the gum (the papilla) no longer fills the space below the point where two teeth touch. They are caused by gum recession or bone loss, triangular tooth shapes revealed after braces, or ageing gums. At Creative Arts in Dubai, gum health is checked first; the gap can then often be closed with bonding, orthodontics or veneers that change the tooth contact.
Who treats you here Dr. Khalid Saeed Co-founder & Dentist · Dr. Kinan Bonni Dentist · Dr. Somar Dahdal General Dentist
Every dentist’s licence can be checked on the DHA Sheryan medical directory.
27 yearsIn-house dental laboratory in the same building
Written planItemised treatment plan before you commit
Open daily10:00–20:00, seven days a week
Jumeirah 3614 Jumeira St, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai
What it is
Why do black triangles between teeth appear?
Between two healthy teeth, a small point of gum called the papilla fills the space under the contact point, where the teeth touch. The papilla rests on the bone between the teeth. A black triangle appears when that space becomes taller than the papilla can fill, so you see the dark of the mouth behind it.
Two things decide whether the papilla fills the gap: how much bone and gum support there is, and how far the contact point sits from the bone. The further the teeth touch from the gum, the more space the papilla has to fill and the more likely a triangle becomes. That is why black triangles are a problem of both gums and tooth shape, and why some are fixed by treating the gums, others by changing the teeth.
Causes
What causes black triangles between teeth?
Most people have more than one of these. Identifying which ones apply is what makes the treatment work.
Triangular tooth shapes
Teeth that are wide at the edge and narrow at the neck touch only near the biting edge, leaving a tall space near the gum, even when the gums are healthy.
Changes after braces
Crowded teeth overlap and hide the space between their necks. Once they are straightened, the triangular shape and the gap at the gum can show for the first time.
After gum treatment
When swollen gums settle after a deep clean, they shrink to their healthy level. The gum is healthier, but triangles that the swelling had filled can become visible.
Around crowns and implants
Crowns with contacts placed too high, or bone loss next to an implant, can leave a gap that natural teeth would not have.
Are black triangles a sign of gum disease?
Not always, but they can be. Have your gums checked first if the triangles appeared recently or are growing, or if you notice bleeding when brushing, persistent bad breath, gums pulling back, teeth that feel loose, or new gaps between teeth. Covering a triangle while gum disease is active hides the problem and lets it progress. See bleeding gums and why teeth shift in adulthood.
Treatment options
Black triangles between teeth: treatment from simplest to most involved
Options that change the shape of the teeth work best when the gums are healthy and stable.
| Option | When it fits | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Gum treatment and interdental cleaning | Any triangle with gum inflammation, bleeding or plaque build-up | A professional clean and gum assessment, and interdental brushes sized to the gap; the gum may tighten slightly as inflammation settles |
| Composite bonding | Small to moderate triangles on healthy teeth, especially triangular front teeth | Tooth-coloured resin added to the sides of the teeth, moving the contact closer to the gum; usually one visit, no drilling |
| Orthodontics with enamel reshaping | Triangles from tooth shape or position, often found during or after braces or aligners | Enamel reshaping between teeth broadens the contact so the teeth can be moved together; see IPR explained |
| Veneers or crowns | Several triangles combined with colour, size or shape concerns, or teeth that already need restoring | Ceramic designed with longer contacts so the gap closes; planned with a mock-up first |
| Pink gum-coloured ceramic | Larger gaps on crown, bridge or implant work where gum and bone are lost | Ceramic in a gum shade fills the space visually; see pink gum ceramic |
Surgical techniques to rebuild a lost papilla are described in research, but their results are unpredictable and they are rarely the first answer. Whether any surgical option suits you is discussed only after an assessment.
Will it grow back?
Will the gum grow back between teeth?
Usually not by itself. Gum that has receded because the bone underneath was lost does not regrow, because there is nothing for it to rest on. There are two partial exceptions. When inflamed gums are treated, the papilla can tighten and sometimes look slightly fuller over the following months. And when the contact between two teeth is moved closer to the bone, by bonding, orthodontics or a restoration, the existing papilla often fills more of the smaller space that remains.
That second point is why most effective treatments for black triangles change the teeth rather than the gum. Be cautious with home remedies or products that promise to regrow gum; none has good evidence. Good cleaning between the teeth will not regrow lost gum, but it protects what you have.
Bonding or veneers?
Veneers or bonding for black triangles?
Both close the gap by adding material to the sides of the teeth. The choice depends on how many teeth are involved and what else you want to change.
Composite bonding usually suits
- One to a few small triangles on otherwise attractive teeth
- Healthy, stable gums and good cleaning habits
- A wish to avoid removing enamel
- Patients happy to have the bonding polished and repaired over the years
Veneers may suit better when
- Several triangles are combined with colour, size or shape concerns
- Teeth are already heavily filled or worn
- Bonding would need to be so wide that teeth look square or bulky
- You want the colour stability of ceramic; see veneers in Dubai
At the clinic
How black triangles are assessed and treated at Creative Arts
The order matters: gums first, then shape and position, then the cosmetic finish.
Gum and bone check
Gum pockets, bleeding and X-rays show whether bone has been lost and whether gum disease is active.
Visit 1Treat inflammation
If needed, a professional clean or gum treatment comes first, and the gum is allowed to settle before any cosmetic work.
WeeksPhotos and planning
The size of each triangle, the tooth shapes and the smile line are recorded; a mock-up can show how bonding or veneers would close the gaps.
PlanningClose the gap
Bonding, orthodontics or veneers, as agreed in your written plan, shaped so the gum is supported and the area can still be cleaned.
TreatmentCleaning and review
You are shown which interdental brush fits the new contact. Check-ups keep an eye on the gums and the restoration.
Ongoing
Who treats you
Dentists who treat black triangles at Creative Arts
Dr. Khalid Saeed, Dr. Kinan Bonni and Dr. Somar Dahdal plan bonding and veneers to close black triangles, working with the clinic's gum and orthodontic care when the cause lies there.
Further reading from independent sources
Independent sources for readers who want the wider evidence on this topic. Study figures are averages, not a promise for any one patient.
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Periodontal (Gum) Disease. NIDCR, National Institutes of Health, 2026.
- Worthington HV, MacDonald L, Poklepovic Pericic T, et al.. Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019.
Patient questions
Frequently asked questions
Why do black triangles appear after braces?
Crowded teeth overlap and hide the spaces between their necks. When braces or aligners straighten them, triangular tooth shapes and slightly diverging roots can leave a gap at the gum that was not visible before. It can often be reduced during treatment by reshaping the enamel between the teeth and closing the space, or afterwards with bonding.
Can composite bonding fill black triangles between teeth?
Often, yes, for small to moderate triangles on healthy teeth. Tooth-coloured resin is added to the sides of the teeth so they touch closer to the gum, which closes or shrinks the gap, usually without drilling. The bonding must be shaped so you can still clean between the teeth, and it needs polishing and occasional repair over the years.
Will the gum grow back between my teeth?
Not usually on its own once the bone underneath has been lost. Gum may tighten slightly after inflammation is treated, and the existing papilla often fills more of the space when the contact between the teeth is moved closer to the gum. Products that claim to regrow gum have no good evidence behind them.
Are black triangles between teeth a sign of gum disease?
They can be, especially if they are new or growing, or if you also notice bleeding gums, bad breath, receding gums or loose teeth. They can also come from tooth shape or orthodontic changes with perfectly healthy gums. A gum check with X-rays tells the difference, and any gum disease is treated before cosmetic work.
Veneers or bonding for black triangles: which is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Bonding is quicker, more conservative and suits a few small gaps on otherwise attractive teeth. Veneers suit cases where several triangles come with colour, size or shape concerns, or where bonding would have to be so wide that teeth look bulky. Your dentist explains the trade-offs in a written plan.
How do I clean black triangles between my teeth?
Interdental brushes sized to the gap usually clean these spaces better than floss, because the gap is wider than a floss line. Your dentist or hygienist can show you which size fits without forcing. Keeping the area clean protects the gum and bone that remain, even though it will not regrow lost gum.
Can black triangles between teeth be prevented?
Some causes can be reduced: treating gum disease early, brushing gently with a soft brush, not smoking and cleaning between teeth daily. During orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist can plan for triangular tooth shapes. Triangles caused by natural tooth shape or ageing cannot always be prevented, but they can usually be improved.
Keep exploring
Related treatments
BondingComposite bondingClosing small gaps and reshaping teeth with tooth-coloured resin.VeneersVeneers in DubaiCeramic veneers designed with a mock-up first.GuidePink gum ceramicHiding gum loss around crowns, bridges and implants.GuideWhy teeth shift in adulthoodNew gaps, crowding and what drives them.ConditionReceding gumsCauses of gum recession and how it is managed.GumsGum treatmentGum disease assessment and treatment at Creative Arts.
Visit us
One clinic, in Jumeirah 3 / Umm Suqeim 1
Creative Arts has a single clinic on Jumeira Street (Jumeirah Beach Road). Ask about parking when you book.
- Address614 Jumeira St, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai
- Opening hoursDaily 10:00–20:00, including Friday and Sunday
- Neighbouring areasJumeirah 1–3, Umm Suqeim 1–3, Al Wasl, Al Safa, Al Manara
Our clinic in Jumeirah Open in Google Maps · Rated 4.8 on Google from 238 patient reviews (October 2026) — read them
Book a consultation
Request a consultation
Tell us what you would like to change. The clinic replies within working hours with an appointment time.
- Address614 Jumeira St, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai · Our clinic in Jumeirah 3 / Umm Suqeim 1
- Opening hoursClinic open daily, 10:00–20:00
- Phone+971 4 342 4444 · WhatsApp +971 56 677 7537
Book Your Consultation
Or call us +971 4 342 4444Or message us on WhatsApp
Talk to a dentist about your case
A consultation ends with a diagnosis and a written, itemised plan — not a sales pitch. Book online, message us on WhatsApp, or call the clinic.