When you first got your dental crown, you were happy to see that it looked just like your natural teeth. However, over time a dark line started to form at the end of the crown near the gums, causing you to be more self-conscious about your appearance. Why might you see a black line around a dental crown? And how can you get rid of it? The following post has the answers to these questions.
What Causes a Black Line on Dental Crowns?
A black line is a problem that specifically occurs with porcelain fused to metal crowns, or PFM crowns. These restorations have metal bases covered by a tooth-colored ceramic, letting you enjoy the strength and durability of a metal crown while maintaining a natural appearance.
Over time, the ceramic shell covering up the metal part of a PFM crown can start to wear away, or the gums might start to pull back from the teeth in question. As such, the metal at the base of the crown can become more visible, resulting in a black line that makes it very obvious that you’ve had dental work done.
On rare occasions, a black line might also be a warning sign for a serious oral health issue. Tooth decay can cause parts of the tooth to darken over time, causing a discolored spot. As such, you should have a black line around your crown examined by the dentist immediately to make sure it’s not a sign of anything more serious.
What Can You Do to Get Rid of a Black Line?
If a black line is caused by the way a dental crown is made, then the solution is simple: get a new dental crown in Kittanning. If you want to maintain a fully natural-looking smile, then your best option is to choose a crown made entirely out of ceramic materials. Dental ceramic is extremely durable and can last a long time, so you don’t have to worry about compromising on quality. Meanwhile, the fact that the entire crown is made out of ceramic means there’s little risk of a new black line developing in the future.
In the rare event of a black line caused by decay, your dentist will need to remove the crown so that they can treat the tooth underneath. Ideally, the tooth will still be salvageable, and you’ll be able to get a new crown afterward.
You deserve a crown that leaves you feeling fully confident about your grin. If you notice a dark line or anything else that makes your crown stand out, schedule an appointment with your dentist to see what solutions they can offer.
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller has more than 40 years of dental experience. He has a Fellowship in the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics, and he’s a proud member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry; he’s an expert in repairing smiles in an aesthetically pleasing way. If you think you might need a new dental crown, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Voller at Voller Dentistry by visiting his website or calling (724) 543-4948.