16/10/2026
Black triangles after braces are common, especially in adults.
They’re the small gaps between teeth, near the gum line, that can show up once crowding is resolved.
Why adults get them more often: gums sit a little lower with age, so when crowded teeth move apart the gum doesn’t always fill the space. Triangular-shaped front teeth make it more likely.
How we close them: we reshape the sides of the teeth by about 0.2 to 0.5 mm per surface (interproximal reduction, or IPR), then move the teeth together so they touch lower down.
Not every black triangle closes fully, so it’s worth planning for them before braces or aligners start.
Save this if you’re thinking about braces as an adult.
