Do You See a Black Line Around Your Dental Crown?

So, let’s say you’ve had a dental crown for several years. It’s worked pretty well until now, as it hasn’t caused any issues. However, you’ve recently noticed a black line around it. In that situation, you should probably switch the old crown for a new one. Otherwise, the black line is likely to stick around. As for why that’s the case, your Grand Island dentist is here to explain. Read on to learn what causes a black line around a dental crown and how best to fix it.

What Causes a Black Line Around a Dental Crown?

Generally, a black line around a dental crown is based on one of two things. They are:

The Crown’s Metal is Showing Through

One cause is that your crown is showing its underlying metal parts. That’s especially likely if your prosthetic is an older model.

You see, porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns are one of the oldest available. Unlike newer styles, they strengthen their porcelain structure with metals like gold alloy. However, said metal can get exposed as your gums recede with age. For that reason, it often gets a black line around it some years after it was first placed.

The Crown is Casting a Shadow

Though less likely, your black line could stem from your crown casting a shadow. More specifically, the crown’s poor fit is causing it to create an optical illusion.

In these rare cases, the black line is less prominent than it would be if caused by exposed metal.

How Your Dentist Can Help

To remove the black line, your dentist could replace your old crown with a new, metal-free one. Unlike older models, it’d be made entirely of porcelain.

A fully-porcelain crown wouldn’t have the black line issue. It’s color-matched to your enamel and doesn’t use non-tooth-colored materials. As a result, the prosthetic cap would blend seamlessly with your remaining teeth. No matter gum recession or fit, this crown will always look natural. An added perk is that it could last for twenty years or more with good care!

As you can see, a black line around your crown probably isn’t an oral health issue. Just visit your local dentist; they’ll have it fixed in no time!

About the Practice

Stec & Stines: Cosmetic & Family Dentistry is based in Grand Island, NE. As led by Drs. Steven & CJ Stec, and Jacob Stines, the practice devotes itself to premium dental care with high patient comfort. To that end, our staff performs preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, including emergency procedures. We also take pride in being a certified provider of dental sedation and Invisalign clear aligners. For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (308)-382-4440.