It’s pretty natural to expect seamless results from today’s dental crowns. These caps generally blend in with surrounding teeth to enhance your smile’s good looks. Having said that, you may find a black line around your dental crown after a while; the issue is common enough. Don’t panic – your local Louisville dentist can help you address this peculiar problem. To that end, here’s a primer on why black lines can form around dental crowns and how to treat them.
What Causes Black Lines Around a Crown?
Whatever your concerns, a black line around a dental crown shouldn’t threaten your tooth. This dark shade usually stems from one of the following:
Shadows from a Poor Fit
While most dental crowns fit exactly, that doesn’t apply to all of them. These caps can sometimes be poorly designed and not adhere to a tooth very well. In those cases, a poor fit can cause an optical illusion that casts a nearby shadow.
If your black line is a shadow, the resulting cosmetic flaw likely isn’t that apparent. Consider looking at example photos online to confirm the matter.
A Dental Crown’s Metal Base
Often enough, a dental crown’s black line is caused by the cap’s underlying material. That’s especially the case for crowns that use metal as a base.
You see, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns aren’t wholly ceramic. Their bases often use gold and similar metals, which tend to have a dark gray color. This shade can become visible if a crown’s metal gets exposed for various reasons (crown wear, gum recession, etc.) From there, the exposure will make it seem as if a black line is around your crown.
How to Treat Black Lines
Most dentists treat the “black line problem” by replacing old dental crowns with new ones. After all, the replacement cap won’t have the flaws that caused the original black line.
For example, the newer crown will likely be wholly porcelain or ceramic. That means it won’t have metallic parts that could be exposed over time. That being the case, the crown will always look very natural even if your gums recede; it’ll blend seamlessly. This cosmetic effect can even last for twenty years or more with proper dental crown care.
A black line around a dental crown isn’t a major problem, but it can still affect your smile’s looks. Contact your dental provider for help with fixing your own.
About the Practice
Hurstbourne Dental Care is based in Louisville, KY. Led by Dr. James Garland, our practice aims to give every patient an outstanding level of dentistry. That means we tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments to your smile’s specific needs! Through this method, our team can make your teeth and gums thrive without fail. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (502)-671-5087.