CASE · Cosmetic dentistry
Veneers in Your 70s: Closing Black Triangles and Gaps with Gum Contouring (Case Study)
Black triangles, the dark gaps between the front teeth near the gums, can often be made much less visible with porcelain veneers, at any age. In this case, a woman in her 70s who travelled to Seoul from overseas had gum contouring on four front teeth first, then six CERANATE porcelain veneers from canine to canine. We balanced tooth proportions, closed the gaps and matched the shade to her existing crowns.
Case at a glance
- Concern: Uneven front teeth and gum line, gaps between teeth, and a wish for a bright, straight “Hollywood” smile (woman in her 70s, lives overseas)
- Diagnosis: Two large central incisors and a small, worn right lateral incisor; a black triangle between the central incisors; a gap on the left side; uneven gum heights; old composite fillings that no longer matched
- Treatment: Gum contouring on four upper front teeth, then six CERANATE porcelain veneers (canine to canine)
- Tooth reduction: Minimal (case by case, decided after diagnosis)
- Visits: Gum contouring first, final bonding after the gums had healed (healing time varies)
- Bite: The upper and lower front teeth met very tightly, so the bite was adjusted to protect the veneers
Can you get veneers in your 70s?
Age alone does not decide it. What matters is the health of the gums and bone, how the teeth bite together, and the condition of the remaining teeth. This patient was missing several back teeth, but her front teeth were stable in bite, wear and angle, so veneers were a reasonable option.
Because she planned to replace the missing back teeth after returning home, we made a temporary partial denture so she could chew comfortably in the meantime.
How do veneers close black triangles?
A black triangle appears when the gum between two teeth has receded or when the teeth narrow toward the root. A veneer can reshape the side of each tooth slightly and move the contact point toward the gum, which makes the dark space smaller.
Simply widening the teeth to fill the space, however, makes the front teeth look too broad. So we corrected the gum line first and designed each veneer from the width-to-length ratio.
Why was gum contouring done first?
The gum heights of the two central incisors did not match, and the gums covered part of the teeth, making them look short. The right lateral incisor was also short from wear. Gum contouring on four upper front teeth evened out the gum line.
Final veneers are bonded only after the gums have settled. Bonding onto unstable gums can cause bleeding and a poor fit at the gum line. In this case the gums healed well and there was no bleeding on the day of bonding.
How was the shade chosen?
She wanted bright white teeth with a straight edge line. She already had all-ceramic crowns on two left premolars, so we matched the veneer shade to blend with those crowns using a shade guide.
Some patients prefer a bright, uniform “Hollywood” look; others want teeth that look untouched. Neither is right or wrong. We design the shape and shade around each patient’s preference and face.
What did the result look like?
The black triangle and the gap on the left became much smaller, and the tooth sizes look balanced. The gum line is even on both sides, and the old filling color no longer stands out. Because tightly overlapping front teeth can make veneers more likely to come off, the bite was adjusted before bonding.
How long do I need to stay in Korea, and what does it cost?
Standard CERANATE veneers typically take about one week with two visits. When gum contouring comes first, as here, you also need time for the gums to heal, and that time varies from person to person. We suggest a schedule after reviewing your X-ray and photos.
Our porcelain veneers are KRW 550,000–770,000 per tooth including VAT (about USD 415–581 at USD 1 = KRW 1,325 on 2026-10-23). The fee for gum contouring depends on the area treated and is quoted after an examination.
Frequently asked questions
Can veneers close gaps caused by gum recession?
It depends on the size of the gap and the health of the gums. Reshaping the teeth often makes the space much smaller, but active gum disease must be treated first.
Does gum contouring hurt?
It is done under local anesthesia. The gums can feel tender or sensitive for a while afterward, and healing varies from person to person.
Is a deep bite a problem for veneers?
A tight or deep bite increases the risk of chipping or debonding, so we check and, if needed, adjust the bite before bonding. If you grind your teeth, we recommend a night guard.
What if a veneer comes off after I fly home?
Keep the veneer, take a photo and send it to us on WhatsApp. Rebonding or remaking it requires a visit to the clinic.
This case was treated at our clinic. The article was medically reviewed by Dr. Sunmin Kim, our lead dentist and a board-certified orthodontist.
About the reviewer
Dr. Sunmin Kim is the lead dentist at Ceramic Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, a board-certified orthodontist (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea) with a PhD from Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Our clinic is registered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to treat international patients.
Important information
This is a real case. Results, treatment time and the number of visits vary from person to person.
How much tooth structure is removed for veneers or crowns depends on the case. Some cases can be no-prep or minimal-prep (case by case, decided after diagnosis), others need more. After bonding, sensitivity, chipping, debonding or gum changes can occur, so regular check-ups are needed.
Photos show teeth only and are published with the patient’s consent. Fees are as of October 2026.
Questions about your own teeth?
Send us photos of your teeth for a preliminary opinion. A final plan and quote are given after an in-person examination.
Ask on WhatsApp