The question of how to treat open gingival embrasures, or ‘black triangles’, has largely stumped dental professionals, despite the belief that 67% of people over the age of 20 suffer from the condition.
Historically, dentists have been inclined to ignore the problem because conventional solutions are costly, invasive, unpredictable and unstable. These range from orthodontic extrusion to inter-proximal bone graft, soft-tissue graft or papilla reconstruction, and subtractive porcelain restorations or composite bonding.
Yet black triangles are not just an aesthetic concern. Patients can also suffer from functional and clinical problems, such as retention of food debris, or biofilm accumulation and potential tissue inflammation. There is also a risk of lateral compaction of food debris, creating uncomfortable wedging pressure between tightly spaced roots.
Thanks to US dentist and founder of the Academy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry, Dr David Clark, there is an answer…
In 2009, Dr Clark invented Bioclear - a non-invasive, additive method which makes a direct restorative solution to black triangles both simple and predictable. It is very different from traditional composite bonding in both technique and results.
The following case study, treated by Dr. Jihyon Kim, showcases Bioclear’s potential in full-mouth black triangle treatment.