While not aesthetically pleasing, the dark lines or rings around dental crowns and veneers do not pose any issues to your dental health. If you have them, there is nothing you need to do – assuming you’re ok with the look. Unfortunately, in the case that the look does bother you, the black lines will not remove unless a skilled dentist replaces the restoration.
The cause of dark lines around Crowns and Porcelain Veneers
This darkening at the gumline with porcelain veneers and crowns can occur even when dental hygiene is at it’s best. There are three reasons dark lines form around dental crowns and veneers:
1. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal
PFM is an earlier approach to dental crowns utilizing a supporting metal base usually made from an amalgam of metals like gold, platinum, copper, nickel-chromium, or cobalt-chromium. The base helps prevent breaks, protect the remaining tooth structure, and reinforce the crowns’ strength but often resulted in black lines. As the porcelain thins near the gum line and the gum line recedes over time, exposing portions of the metal base, causing the dark lines where the metal appears.
2. Inexpensive Base Metals
Some earlier crown restorations were fabricated with a metal base possibly attached to inexpensive non-precious components, eventually leaching out and causing the gum edges’ tattooing. Some patients who receive these cheap restorations develop an allergic reaction causing inflammation of the gums.
3. Improper Fitting Crowns Or Veneers
If your dental crowns or veneers do not fit the tooth properly or seal lines accumulate around tooth edges, most close to the gumline. Ill-fitting restorations like these eventual breaks the underlying tooth structure caused by the bacteria and plaque leaked in.
How Are Dark Lines Around Veneers And Crowns Repaired
Later, porcelain crowns are more robust and more reliable than earlier restorations and don’t require metal. Ensure the dentist utilizes quality porcelain for restorations like veneers and crowns, which produces realistic results. The dentist completely replaces the porcelain-fused-to-metal crown with more modern porcelain crowns. Another repair that’s possible is dental bonding to cover the exposed PFM crown.
The appearance of dark lines on a dental crown or veneer creates a smile less than perfect and makes many self-conscious. But, an imperfect smile isn’t the only by-product of a poorly done crown or veneer. If signs of an infection, including swelling of the gum, pain when you bite down, temperature sensitivity, and fever, speak with a qualified dental professional about a new porcelain crown or veneer.