Why Is There a Black Line on My Dental Crown?

If you have an older dental crown, you are likely enjoying its durability and ability to protect your tooth from further damage. What you may not be enjoying, however, is the appearance of a black line around the base. If you notice a line forming around your crown, here’s what could be causing it, and what you should do to remove it.

What is That Black Line, anyway?

Picture this: you’re brushing your teeth and happen to look into the mirror at your crowned tooth. Normally it blends in well with your natural teeth, but something is different this time. There is a thin black line forming at its base, right above your gums. Upon further inspection, it appears to be on the crown itself, not on your tooth or gums, but what is it, and how can you get rid of it?

Well, if you have an older crown (15+ years old) it’s likely because your gums have receded, and the metal from your crown (called a porcelain-fused-to-metal-restoration, or PFM) is now exposed.

While unsightly, this line poses no risk to you or your health, but it’s certainly understandable if you’d like to remove it. Unfortunately, however, the only way to remove it is to replace your crown with a new CEREC crown.

CEREC Crowns

The name CEREC is short for “ceramic reconstruction.” These crowns are made entirely from a brick of porcelain, so there is no metal used and thus no way for metal lines to form anywhere on them, no matter how long you have them.  Furthermore, they can be milled right in your dentist’s office while you wait, allowing you to repair your tooth on the same day, without having to wait weeks for a lab to create one.

They are durable, natural-looking, and even natural feeling, so nobody will know that you have dental restorations. In fact, you may even forget you have them yourself!

Don’t Forget Your Gums

Additionally, if you are experiencing gum recession, your dentist may want to check your periodontal health. Receding gums could be a sign of gum disease, which could require a gum grafting procedure to repair. If not addressed, gum disease can worsen with time, causing bone and tissue loss that could cause you to lose your teeth.

If you see a dark line forming around your crown, contact your dentist for an appointment to rule out any periodontal issues and to replace your crown with a beautiful new CEREC crown and you’ll be back to smiling in no time!

About Our Practice

The Team at Bristol Family Dental makes it their mission to know each patient on a first-name basis. We work together with you to make you feel comfortable when you’re in our care as well as when you’re out there in the world caring for your own oral health. We offer a wide range of services including general exams, cosmetic dentistry, and even CEREC same-day crowns.

To replace your crowns with beautiful and durable CEREC crowns, please schedule an appointment or call us at 860-589-2794.