You looked in the mirror recently and noticed a black line has formed at the base of your dental crown. While it may seem unusual, it’s actually common with older dental crowns. This black line not only reveals your dental work but keeps your smile from looking its best. Fortunately, your dentist is able to easily address the issue and restore your tooth so it matches your natural surrounding teeth. Read on to learn what causes a black line to appear around your crown and how your dentist can help to get rid of it!
What Causes a Black Line to Form at the Base of a Dental Crown?
As stated above, if you notice a black line or darkness at the base of an older dental crown, it is not an unusual occurrence. It is most commonly caused by:
- Metal from the dental crown showing
- Shadows around a crown
- Silver fillings that have turned black
Older-style crowns have a layer of metal, usually gold alloy, underneath the porcelain. These are called PFM (Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal) crowns. The metal framework provides extra strength to dental porcelain when under tension. The black line may not have been visible initially, but our gums tend to recede with age. This can make the metal more visible.
Although rare, the black line can also be caused by a poorly fitting crown casting a shadow over the surrounding area. These black lines are typically less prominent but can still cause concern when a natural, bright smile is the goal! Silver fillings that have turned black over time can also cause discoloration around a crown. A visit to your dentist can determine the cause of your concern.
How Can Your Dentist Help?
Although you have been bothered by the changes in your smile, the good news is this issue is completely fixable! In most cases, the only solution is to replace your current crown with a metal-free restoration like ceramic crowns. These cosmetic options are a more visually pleasing and reliable alternative to the typical metal, silver, or gold crowns. Ceramic restorations look just like real tooth enamel and are resistant to chipping and cracking, so you can eat all your favorite foods confidently and comfortably.
As time goes on, your bright, natural smile can be marred by black lines around the base of your dental crown. However, a simple trip to the dentist and a metal-free dental restoration can easily put that gleam back into your beam!
About the Practice
Morena & Young Dental keep the smiles of Bellingham whole and healthy through the expertise of its team of dentists. With a goal of treating their patients like family, they offer high-quality dentistry in a positive, caring environment. They provide a full range of services, including restorative treatments like dental crowns. To schedule an appointment, contact them through their website or call (360) 676-0642.