Black Triangles at Mid-point in the Treatment

I'm half way through the Invisalign treatment - main objective being to narrow the gaps in the upper teeth. Had no issue whatsoever with the lower teeth but I do wear the trays on those too. Now, it seems like I have developed a couple black triangles right in the middle and adjacent spot on lower teeth. Will these spaces be taken care by continuing the treatment (through the end)? Is this a negative side effect of the treatment? If so it is really diminishing the whole value of Invisalign.

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by tm1900

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Straightening teeth can cause "black triangles"

It is common to have the dreaded black triangles appear when crowded teeth have been in existence for a number of years and then straightened. The gums may have receded slightly as one ages, then the straightening causes the roots of the teeth to move more apart from each other causing the black triangles. This happens because the contact of the teeth are at the widest part and when straightened cause the teeth to take up more room or move apart from each... more

Will black triangles disappear ?

I believe that if the treatment is completed then the end result will remove the dreaded black triangle. A lot of this depends on the health of your gum tissue and the position of the teeth. In a study they found that if the contact point of the 2 adjacent teeth was 5mm or less from the crest of the bone under the gingiva you will always have a papilla or a triangle of tissue. If you have gum disease or long slender teeth will contact points that are far away from the bone level then your... more

Black triangles with Invisalign treatment

Black triangles result from adjacent "wedge-shaped" teeth touching each other at the widest point of the wedge. Normally the gums fill in the area below this contact point, but if the gums to do not fill that space a black triangle results. This is a result of the architecture of the gums, and orthodontic treatment with either braces or Invisalign does not cause the gums to recede from a space they were previously occupying. Aligning teeth or... more

Black Triangles

Hi Tm1900 It is impossible to address your concern without seeing your teeth and treatment plan. However, if you bring it up with your dentist now it is quite possible that if it is an unintended consequence of the treatment, he/she has a better chance of remedying it sooner. Hope this helps. Dr. Alper