Can Black Triangles Be Fixed With Braces?

 Have you ever noticed a triangular gap between your tooth and gum line? That gap is commonly called a ‘black Triangle’, also known as “Open Gingival Embrasures.”

According to research, “One-third of adults have unaesthetic black triangles worldwide.”

Black triangles are not considered unhealthy or problematic; however, they do have an undesirable appearance and may affect a person’s self-esteem. Luckily, there are treatments available to correct this condition!

Why do Black Triangles in Teeth Appear?

These small triangles occur due to the shape of the teeth, a lack of gum tissue, and/or gum disease (caused by poor hygiene). As we get older, our gums naturally start to recede. This is why black triangles often appear in adults.

Other causes of black triangles include nail picking, aggressive flossing, and excessive tooth picking.

In the case of orthodontic treatment, the alignment process of your teeth may reveal black triangles; yet, they are not the source of black triangles.

Black triangles can be problematic because they have an undesirable appearance, and they can harbor food particles, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

But how do you prevent them in the first place, and what can you do once they appear? Here’s what you need to know.

Can Black Triangles be Prevented?

You cannot always avoid black triangles. In fact, some spacing between your teeth is natural and can be helpful for cleaning purposes. However, if the space is vast, you can reduce it by committing to a strong oral hygiene routine.

When you have black triangles, it is essential to follow a rigorous oral routine, including flossing, brushing your teeth thoroughly, using mouthwash, and attending all of your dental cleaning appointments. These activities will keep your gums healthy by preventing inflammation and bone loss around the teeth. Visiting your dentist regularly is incredibly important for him or her to monitor your gum and dental health.

Can Orthodontics Cause Black Triangles?

The belief that black triangles are caused by orthodontic treatment, such as braces or Invisalign, is false. Orthodontic treatment doesn’t cause black triangles; it simply exposes them.

When your teeth are aligned, receding gums or lack of gum tissue between the teeth can expose these black triangles.

If you visit a highly-qualified orthodontist, you do not have to fear gum loss or black triangles due to orthodontic treatment.

Triangles and Orthodontic Treatment

If you notice a small triangle between your teeth, we can provide orthodontic treatment to close it!

At Spannhake Orthodontics, Dr. Spannhake can treat black triangles using Interproximal Reduction (IPR), Invisalign® or braces.

• Braces and Invisalign
  Your orthodontist may recommend treatment with braces or Invisalign to reduce the appearance of black triangles. The treatment consists of applying direct pressure to specific teeth to encourage movement towards a proper alignment. Shifting the teeth into alignment can effectively eliminate black triangles.
• Interproximal Reduction (IPR)
  Interproximal Reduction is a technique performed by highly-skilled orthodontists to close black triangles. The treatment is performed by hand, using flexible diamond coated strips that are worked back and forth between your teeth. A tiny part of the tooth enamel is trimmed, which will allow your teeth to be pushed closer together. Thus reducing the black triangles and spaces your gum needs to fill between teeth.

We understand the presence of black triangles can leave patients feeling self- conscious about their smile. We want you to feel confident during and after your orthodontic treatment! Our team uses the latest technologies, techniques, and materials to ensure that you achieve the best possible results!

How To Enjoy Easter With Braces

 

If the Easter Bunny is headed to your house and your child has braces, you don’t have to turn him away. Just make sure he leaves treats that can be enjoyed without any damage to their brackets or wires.

What Not to Eat if You Have Braces

On Easter, it’s best to avoid any sugary treats on Easter if you have braces. However, part of the fun of the holiday is getting candy. Since it’s likely you won’t be able to avoid candy altogether, it’s best to leave out the candy that can do the most damage to braces. This includes:

• Anything with caramel or nuts
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Peeps
• Candy-coated chocolate or malt eggs

Candy You Can Eat if You Have Braces

Luckily, there are many types of treats that are safe to enjoy with braces. Chocolate without nuts is soft and won’t get as stuck in braces as taffy, caramel, or jelly beans. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Nestle Crunch and Three Musketeers are good chocolate options, in addition to plain chocolate bunnies and eggs. Plain M&Ms are a good option because their candy coating is thinner than candy-coated eggs. Just be sure to brush and floss thoroughly after you eat any candy. This will help remove any bits of chocolate lingering in your braces.

Homemade goodies, like brownies or cupcakes, are also good options. They are soft, and it’s possible to reduce some of the sugar in them by replacing it with a different type of sweetener.

Easter Gifts for Kids With Braces

Easter baskets don’t have to be filled with only candy. We don’t know many pre-teens or teens who would turn up their noses at an Amazon or iTunes gift card, a new case for their cell phone, makeup, a video game, or the next book in the series they are reading.

You can also encourage your child’s favorite hobby with gifts in their Easter basket. If you have a budding artist in your family, include paintbrushes, paints, a new sketchbook or pencils in their Easter basket. For a dog lover, you could include a book about teaching your pet tricks, a dog-themed t-shirt, or a gift card to the pet store or for animal training classes.

Another option is to fill a few plastic eggs with dollar bills (five-dollar bills if you’re feeling generous) instead of jelly beans.

Including Easter treats that are safe for kids braces ensures everyone will enjoy the holiday, rather than worrying what to do with a loose bracket or broken wire.

Why Are My Teeth Shifting?

 

Why Are My Teeth Shifting After Having Braces?

Uh oh! It’s been a few years since you’ve completed orthodontic treatment and you’re wondering why your teeth are shifting after having braces. Did you know the #1 reason this occurs is due to the lack of retainer wear? Retainers are actually the only way to prevent your teeth from wanting to go back into their old position. If you are not wearing your retainer regularly after having braces, your teeth may want to shift for a variety of reasons… Visit our website to learn more about the importance of wearing retainers.  

Grinding Your Teeth

Grinding or clenching your teeth can be a very destructive. Not only does it wear down the enamel on your teeth, but it can also result in shorter teeth and bite/facial changes. Grinding puts unnecessary pressure on your teeth which causes them to shift in different directions.

Tooth Loss

When you have a missing tooth, the teeth on either side will want to drift into the empty space causing total misalignment. This is why it is always a good idea to replace the missing tooth with an implant, fixed bridge or removable partial. At the very least, wearing a retainer every night will prevent teeth shifting.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease occurs when the gums surrounding your teeth become so damaged it eventually destroys the bone supporting your teeth. When this occurs, teeth become more mobile causing them to move in different directions and/or fall out completely.

Aging

Natural physiologic drift is what happens when teeth move as you age. Your facial bones continue to grow throughout your lifetime usually resulting in the lower jaw growing forward and becoming more narrow. This causes your lower teeth to crow or overlap.

Genetics

Relapse occurs because teeth have memory and will want to move back into the position they were in before you had braces.

Preventing Your Teeth from Shifting

If you want to make sure your teeth do not shift after having braces, it’s extremely important that your remember to wear your retainer every night! If you realize you missed a few days and your retainer is no longer fitting properly, call your orthodontist immediately. This could be due to a damaged retainer or your teeth already starting to shift. If the retainer you wear is permanent (bonded) your orthodontist will want to make sure it is still working properly and hasn’t broken without you being aware.

Here at Spannhake Orthodontics, we encourage you to see your general dentist every 6 months to minimize decay and prevent periodontitis. Also be sure to address any bite problems you may be experiencing at this time along with grinding issues. By staying on top of your oral health, you can prevent many issues from progressing and your teeth from shifting. Above all else, always remember how important retainer wear is. At Spannhake Orthodontics, we only want our patients to have to wear braces once. 

Spotlight on This Months Check-In 4 Charity: Breast Cancer Research Foundation

This month with your help, we are supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The mission of the BreastCancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world's most promising research. The only way to achieve this goal is through research. Research is revolutionizing our understanding of cancer. Research is leading us to the core of this insidious disease. Research is transforming lives every day as women and men get the help they need. They believe research—and research alone—has the power to bring an end to cancer. They have more than 275 researchers urgently working on solutions to one of the world’s greatest problems.

Since their founding in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, BCRF has raised more than half a billion dollars for lifesaving research. Through a unique and streamlined grants program, they seek out the brightest minds in science and medicine and give them the necessary resources to pursue their best ideas. As a result, researchers are able to make discoveries and design new approaches to address all aspects of breast cancer—and do so in record time.

Breast cancer knows no age, gender, or race. As the most common cancer in women worldwide and the second most common cancer overall, it remains a fact of life. The thousands of women and men suffering from breast cancer today depend on us. No institution can conquer this disease alone. Together, we can. 

JOIN US IN SUPPORTING THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Spannhake Orthodontics takes part in the Check-In 4 Charity program. Whenever you check-in at our office on Facebook, a donation will be generated for the charity of the month. Be sure to check-in at your next appointment and together we can give back to this amazing charity during the month of October.