Dental crowns, essential for protecting and restoring severely damaged teeth, encase the entire tooth with a protective cap. However, if you’ve noticed a black line around your dental crown, it can be a cause for concern. Understanding the reasons behind this occurrence is crucial for peace of mind. Read on as we delve into why a black line may form on a dental crown and the steps your dentist can take to address and resolve this issue.
What’s Causing the Dark Lines?
Dental restorations like crowns aim to enhance your smile, making dark marks or lines undesirable. Not only do they mar your smile’s appearance, but they also reveal which teeth have undergone restoration.
Fortunately, if a black line appears between your gums and crowns, it’s not indicative of an oral health problem. In the case of porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, the issue may simply be the metal showing through.
How Your Dentist Can Fix It
The presence of a dark line on a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, especially on a prominently visible tooth, can diminish the overall beauty of your smile. While crowns can be crafted from various materials, modern options commonly use porcelain or ceramic.
Porcelain crowns offer a realistic appearance, seamlessly matching the natural size, shape, and color of your smile. Unlike metal-based crowns, porcelain alternatives are equally durable and eliminate concerns about the formation of unsightly black lines. If you’re troubled by such issues, discussing the possibility of replacing your porcelain-fused-to-metal crown with a porcelain one with your dentist can be a viable solution.
Maintaining Your New Crowns
A well-maintained dental crown can endure for approximately 15 years, contingent on proper care. To maximize the lifespan of your porcelain crowns, consider the following measures:
- Brush and floss regularly: Incorporate your crowns into your daily oral hygiene routine, brushing for two minutes in the morning and night, and flossing before bedtime to maintain their optimal condition.
- Wear your nightguard: If you grind your teeth during the night, using a nightguard, as provided by your dentist, protects both your natural teeth and crowns. Additionally, if engaging in contact sports like football, wearing a mouthguard is advisable.
- Avoid using teeth as tools: Refrain from using your teeth to open bottles or packages, as such actions can damage your crowns. Avoid chewing on ice or other non-food items as well.
- Regular dental visits: Schedule appointments with your dentist every six months for thorough check-ups. These visits help ensure the absence of oral health issues that could compromise the longevity of your crowns.
Having identified the cause of the black line on your dental crowns, consider engaging in a conversation with your dentist about the possibility of replacing them with porcelain alternatives. Porcelain crowns offer a seamless and aesthetically pleasing solution, eliminating the appearance of dark lines and enhancing the overall beauty of your smile!
About the Practice
Heading the proficient team at Smiles by Martin, Dr. Gregory D. Martin is dedicated to assisting patients in Grapevine and the surrounding DFW communities in cultivating love for their smiles while ensuring proper care. Dr. Martin and his team specialize in the repair of damaged or decayed teeth through the application of durable and lifelike dental crowns. Renowned for their ability to protect teeth and restore confidence in one’s smile, these restorations are a popular choice. For additional information on dental crowns or to schedule an appointment, reach out to Smiles by Martin’s office at (817) 481-1041 or visit their website.