You had a dental crown placed over your tooth some time ago, and at first, it looked perfectly natural and seamless. Now, however, there’s this pesky black line right at the base of your restoration. Fortunately, this is primarily a cosmetic concern, but that doesn’t make the issue any less bothersome!
If you’d like to address the black line around your dental crown, here’s what you should know about the problem – and your options.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
You would expect to see discoloration with an all-metal crown. After all, the materials are going to be silver or gold. All ceramic crowns, meanwhile, are tooth-colored through and through. Black lines near the base of a crown are much more likely to appear with porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (“PFM crowns” for short).
This type of restoration does have a thin outer layer of porcelain that looks similar to natural enamel, but the inner core is made of metal. Under certain conditions, the metal can become more visible and create the line you’re seeing in your smile.
Why the Metal Could be Visible
Typically, the metal in a PFM crown will start to show if your gumline recedes or if the porcelain layer is worn down. The metal core technically extends slightly past the length of the tooth-colored shell, so if your gums pull back in reaction to gum disease or some other issue, the metal will be revealed.
Bad oral habits like biting your nails or crunching on ice can cause premature wear for PFM crowns – though daily chewing can also thin out the outer layer. Regardless, the bluish-gray tint of the inner metal core can gradually be exposed as this happens.
How Your Dentist in Manchester Can Help
If you’re determined to keep your PFM crown, your dentist may be able to conceal the dark discoloration by reshaping your gums back over the metal (after treating any gum disease, of course) or by simply replacing your worn-out restoration. Alternatively, you could solve the problem once and for all by switching to an all-ceramic crown.
Whatever you decide, your dentist in Manchester will be ready to help enhance your smile’s aesthetics!
About the Author
Dr. Robert C. Fromuth earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated with honors. Never one to stop learning, though, Dr. Fromuth has gone on to complete the core curriculum at the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education and continues to meet regularly with his local peer study group. If you need help addressing the black line around your dental crown, Dr. Fromuth will put his extensive knowledge to good use and enhance your smile! To contact his office directly, call 603-644-3368 or request an appointment online through his website.