Here’s Why You Have a Black Line Around Your Dental Crown

Rings and crowns are symbols of refinement, wealth, and elegance. But when a black ring shows up around your dental crown, it’s hard to feel that way. Don’t worry; this is a very common problem that has more to do with the construction of your crown than anything wrong with your oral health. Here’s a little bit of information as to why you might have this problem.

What’s This Black Line Around My Crown?

Older dental crowns consist of a porcelain model of a tooth fused to a metal base, usually made of gold alloy. These porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns were, for a long time, the best way to ensure that restorations would be durable. However, there’s a drawback built into this design: the potential for a small black ring to appear where the gold foundation peeks out from under the gums. If you got your crowns a long time ago, they were likely designed according to the PFM model. What you’ve been noticing recently could be a strip of metal that has started to show.

There’s also sometimes a kind of optical illusion where the darker part of the crown casts a shadow onto the porcelain. This only happens in the case of a poor fit, and the line is a little less prominent than it would be if you were actually seeing the metal.

Why Now?

“If these black rings are due to the construction of my crowns, why am I just noticing them now?”

As we age, our gums tend to recede. If it’s been years since you first got your crown, you may have grown a bit more “long in the tooth” since then. It’s also worth noting that advanced gum disease can also cause recession, so if you have PFM crowns, you should prioritize good dental hygiene.

What Can I Do About This?

In either case, these black lines aren’t symptoms of some strange disease but are instead a very common problem. That said, many people would prefer it weren’t obvious that they have had teeth dental work done and want to fix this problem if they can.

The only real solution is to have your crown swapped out. You could get a better-fitting PFM model, but most people tend to opt for something more modern.  Contemporary crowns are usually made with 100% zirconia, ceramic, or porcelain. There are even ceramic ones that can be created and applied in a single appointment! Each of these designs uses a durable white base that won’t stick out from under the gums, so once you upgrade, you’ll never have this problem again.

While rings and crowns sound luxurious, true elegance is having a big smile you can be proud of. If you start to see a bit of metal peeking out, it may be good to replace your old crown.

About Our Practice

At Vollo Dental Group, we offer cutting-edge dentistry in a place that feels like home. Dr. Joseph Vollo and Dr. Katherine Vollo are a husband-and-wife team that hopes to share their mastery of advanced cosmetic dental techniques with every patient they see. If you have questions about your dental crowns, we can be reached via our website, or by phone at (585) 225-9114.