Tomás Ribeiro
Resolution of aesthetic problems in periodontal patients – black triangles
- Integrated Master’s Degree in Dentistry from the Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde (IUCS).
- Course in Esthetic-Functional Planning and Rehabilitation in Fixed Prosthodontics by Sorriso Natural.
- Advanced Training in Dentistry by Sorriso Natural.
- Instructor and collaborator in various update and improvement courses in the field of Adhesive Dentistry.
- Award for best clinical cases poster at the 31st Annual Congress of the OMD, titled “Black triangles closure with composite resin after periodontal treatment – A Case Report”.
- Clinical Practice focused on Esthetic Dentistry and Fixed Prosthodontics.
Nationality: Portugal
Scientific areas: Operative Dentistry
21 of november, from 15h00 until 15h30
Auditorium C
Conference summary
Periodontitis is a chronic, systemic, and multifactorial disease that, depending on its stage and severity, presents different proportions of destruction of the dental support tissues. The loss of attachment resulting from uncontrolled disease often leads to the appearance of black triangles/spaces, responsible for increased food impaction, heightened tooth sensitivity and compromised aesthetic of the smile.
Studies indicate that the presence or absence of interdental papilla is related to the distance between the bone crest and the contact point between teeth (BC-CP). When this distance is equal to or less than 5mm, the papilla fills the interdental space in almost 100% of cases. However, when the distance increases to 6mm or 7mm, the papilla fills the interdental space in only 55% or 25% of situations, respectively (Tarnow, 1992).
When these black triangles are present in cases where the BC-CP distance is equal to or less than 5mm, surgical approaches can be performed with predictable success. However, in cases where the BC-CP distance is greater than 5mm, non-surgical approaches, such as composite resin restorations or ceramic crowns, should be prioritized to reposition the contact point and reduce this distance.
Composite resin restorations are an excellent choice for closing black triangles in periodontal patients. In addition to being a highly conservative option, when executed meticulously, they demonstrate good aesthetic integration and compatibility with periodontal tissues.
Age, patient’s oral hygiene, degree of dental destruction and smile type are predominant factors in selecting the rehabilitation approach.