What’s That Black Line Around Your Crown?

Dental crowns are a reliable restoration that helps give you back the function and appearance of your tooth. It’s like a cap that sits on top of it, but what if you started to notice a black line forming around it? You might not like the appearance this gives, but it’s a relatively common issue with porcelain-fused-to-metal (or PFM) options. Here’s more about this complication forming and what you can do to get rid of it.

What Are PFM Crowns?

In short, PFM crowns are a type of dental prosthetic that has a metal core that’s layered under tooth-colored materials. As was mentioned above, it’s a great option to repair damaged or decayed teeth while also lasting for several years. It can blend into your smile, but it may not as well as it did as it gets older.

So, Why Is There a Black Line Around My PFM Crown?

As was mentioned above, PFM crowns may start to look a bit more noticeable because they often form a black line around the edge. This is the metal portion peeking through, but it can happen when your gums start to recede. This can happen as you age, but there are other reasons, such as teeth grinding or clenching, periodontal disease, or aggressive brushing.

That said, this aesthetic flaw is just that. It’s typically not anything to worry about with the crown itself, but simply a natural consequence of how it’s made.

What Can I Do to Get Rid of the Black Line Around My Crown?

Although a black line isn’t anything to stress about, it’s important that you go to your dentist to fix the underlying reason your gums pulled away. For instance, periodontal disease cannot heal on its own, so it may only progress until it’s a bigger headache than before. Subconsciously grinding and clenching your teeth can lead to increased wear and shorten the lifespan of your crown.

Once you get that sorted out, then you can consider swapping your PFM restoration with a tooth-colored version. This modern variation doesn’t have any metal in it, meaning that you won’t need to worry about its appearance as it will blend in seamlessly. Better yet, they can last for several years with proper care. That way, you can begin feeling confident about your smile being strong without worrying about a black line showing up.

About the Author

Dr. John Moneyhun earned his dental degree from MUSC. He is dedicated to helping the Landrum community restore their damaged teeth with reliable options like dental crowns. Dr. Moneyhun works with high-quality materials that not only look natural but are sturdy as well. If you want to get to the bottom of the black line in your smile, schedule an appointment or call his office at 864-800-1691.