Dental crowns are a versatile solution that can enhance your grin’s appearance and improve its functionality. These tooth-shaped covers protect and preserve teeth that are overly damaged or decayed, have undergone a root canal, or are the cap of a dental implant. Plus, they can be color-matched to your smile so that no one can tell the difference.
However, it’s natural to feel concerned if you’ve noticed a dark line forming around the base of your dental crown. Try though you might, you can’t seem to brush or floss it away. You might wonder if it’s dangerous or what you can do to remove it. If you’ve noticed a black border along the edge of your restoration, continue reading to learn why this happens and what you can do!
Why Does My Dental Crown Have a Black Line?
One of the benefits of dental crowns is that they are both a functional and aesthetic way to safeguard your smile. If you start to see a shadowy ring along your gumline, it can put a real dent in your self-confidence. You might think you’ve developed plaque or gum disease, but in most cases, this black border is due to how your artificial tooth was created.
This problem is not uncommon for patients who received prosthetics made from porcelain fused to metal. Historically, restorations were made of amalgam metal, but as dental materials evolved, porcelain was used to cover a metal base for more realistic results. If yours was made this way, the base may be revealed over time if you have receding gums or tend to brush aggressively.
How Can I Address the Black Line Around My Dental Crown?
Thanks to ongoing upgrades to dental technology and techniques, today, artificial teeth can be completely made from resilient porcelain that doesn’t require a metal foundation. The best way to get rid of the black line from an amalgam base is to replace your restoration with an updated version.
To do so, your dentist must first remove the old dental crown with a special tool that breaks the bonding seal. Then, they’ll make new impressions of your teeth to send to a dental lab, which will begin building your new prosthetic. In the meantime, we’ll fit you with a temporary crown to safeguard the underlying tooth or implant until it’s ready. Once the lab delivers the final product, we’ll call you in to have it cemented in place.
Replacing your darkened dental crown with a metal-free restoration preserves your grin while improving your appearance!
About the Practice
At Beck Dental Care of Columbia, patients of all ages benefit from a team of dentists who work together to provide a full range of services at one convenient location. They go above and beyond to help you feel relaxed during your appointment. By combining modern amenities, like TVs in each room, with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort and increase the accuracy of treatment results. If you’re interested in replacing your dental crown, you can request a consultation on the website or by calling (931) 388-8452.