A dental crown is a cap that completely encircles a tooth. They are generally used for pearly whites that have been severely damaged. They protect teeth from further harm as well as restore their look and function. If you have a dental crown and notice that a black line has begun to form on it, you may wonder why this is. To ease your mind, read on to learn why this is happening and what your dentist can do about it.

What’s Causing the Dark Lines?

Sine dental restorations like crowns are meant to give you a whiter, more beautiful smile, dark marks or lines are the last things you want to see. Not only do they make your smile look flawed, but they also make it obvious to others which teeth have been restored. Fortunately, a black line forming between your gums and crowns isn’t a sign of an oral health issue. If you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, this may just be the metal showing through.

How Your Dentist Can Fix It

If your porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is placed on a tooth that is very visible when you smile, the dark line this creates can lessen the beauty of your beam. Crowns can be made from a variety of materials, but modern ones are usually porcelain or ceramic. Porcelain crowns are realistic and can be made to perfectly match the natural size, shape, and color of the rest of your smile so they seamlessly blend in. Though they aren’t metal, they are equally as durable and provide more aesthetic benefits since you won’t have to worry about black lines forming. Consider speaking with your dentist about having your porcelain-fused-to-metal crown replaced with a porcelain one to remedy this issue.

Maintaining Your New Crowns

A well-maintained dental crown can last around 15 years, but you have to make sure to take good care of them. A few ways to make your porcelain crowns last as long as possible include:

• Brush and floss – Your crowns can be brushed and flossed as part of your normal oral hygiene routine. Brush once in the morning and once at night for two minutes each time and floss before bed to ensure that your restorations remain in good condition.
• Wear your nightguard – If you grind your teeth at night, your dentist may give you a nightguard to protect your natural teeth and crown. You should also wear a mouthguard if you plan contact sports like football.
• Don’t use teeth as tools – Using your teeth to open bottles and packages can damage your crowns and should be avoided. You should also refrain from chewing on ice or other non-food objects.
• Visit your dentist – Make an appointment to see your dentist every six months so they can ensure that you don’t have any oral health issues that can jeopardize your crowns.

Now that you know why a black line is forming on your dental crowns, speak with your dentist about having them replaced with porcelain ones. Before you know it, your smile will look as lovely as ever!

About the Practice

If you have one or more damaged teeth that need to be restored, you’ve come to the right place. Dr. E. Charles Beliveau and his talented North Andover team can repair damaged or decayed teeth with durable, lifelike dental crowns. These restorations are a popular way to protect pearly whites and regain your confidence in your smile. Call the dental office of Dr. E. Charles Beliveau at (978) 687-5900 or visit his website for more information on dental crowns or to schedule an appointment.