Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Questions About Dentistry Answered

Gums Over Crowns Turning Gray

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I have two crowns on my front teeth. They’ve never looked quite natural, but now I’m worried there’s something seriously wrong. The gums above the crowns have developed a dark gray line. Is there something dangerous going on?

Gina

Dear Gina,

all porcelain crowns versus metal based crowns

First, let me reassure you. There is nothing dangerous going on. What you’re dealing with is a cosmetic issue as a result of the type of crown you received. It sounds to me like you were given a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. These metal-based crowns are more opaque than the all-porcelain crowns because they need the added opaqueness to cover the metal base. The gray line your seeing is also a result of that type of crown. It happens to all metal-based crowns.

The only solution is to replace them. I wouldn’t go to the same dentist. Truthfully, I’m surprised your dentist placed those on your front teeth. For aesthetic reasons, a responsible dentist would only place all-porcelain crowns on your front teeth. These are much more natural looking as you can see from the comparison images above.

Considerations with Your Dental Crown

Check the work of the dentist you’re considering before going through with the procedure. You want your crowns to look natural and seeing examples of work the dentist has done in the past will let you know if he or she is capable of providing that.

Once the crowns are made, the color is permanent. If you are interested in having your teeth whitened, you’ll want to do it before you replace your dental crowns. That way, when the crowns are made they will match the color you’d want them to be permanently.

This blog is brought to you by Glenpool Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Why is my gumline gray?

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I’ve had dental crowns for a while, but for some reason, recently, I’ve been noticing a gray line at my gumline. Am I having some kind of reaction or infection?

Kevin T. – South Dakota

Kevin,

If there are not other symptoms but a gray line at your gumline, then it sounds like your dentist gave you porcelain fused to metal crowns.  These always end up with a gray line at the gumline.  There is absolutely nothing you can do about the gray line once it is there except to get completely new crowns.

If you do decide to get new crowns make sure your dentist gives you all-porcelain crowns. These will not only look more natural, but you will never have to worry about a gray line develop.

Talk to your dentist. Make sure you’re clear about what you want.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Why is my gumline turning grayish?

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I have a dental crown on one of my front teeth. It’s been Ok and not giving me any problems.  For some reason, lately there has been a dark line at my gumline.  Could I be having a reaction to the crown even if I don’t feel anything?

Dana L. – Montana

Dana,

Based on your description, I suspect the type of dental crown you have is a porcelain fused to metal crown. Those eventually develop a gray line at your gumline.  It’s not an infection. Neither is it a reaction, so you don’t have to worry about that.

The only real problem you face with it is there is no real way to remove it, unless you switch to all-porcelain crowns. You mentioned this is a front tooth. Was there some reason you haven’t mentioned that prompted your dentist not to use an all-porcelain crown on your front teeth?

If not, my suggestion would be to have it replaced.  Although you’ve been happy with the feel of your crown, I’m sure you’re going to find the all-porcelain crown much more natural looking. Plus, there is the added benefit of no dark line.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Covering a dark line at the gumline

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I have two porcelain crowns done. They are on my top front teeth. They’re starting to get a dark line at the gumline, which is a little embarrassing and frustrating. I wondered if Lumineers would fix this?

Ammon M. from Idaho Falls

Ammon,

Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneers. They are designed to to re-design your smile. However, the problem you are having isn’t with your smile. Instead it is with the type of dental crown you’ve gotten. The type of crowns that develop a dark line at the gum line are the porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. I’m a little surprised he or she put those on front teeth, because they are known to develop that dark line. Plus, they have to be made more opaque to cover the metal base.

The only way to get rid of that dark line is for you to have your crowns replaced. This time, you’ll want to make sure your dentist gives you all-porcelain crowns. These will give you a more natural looking smile, without the opaqueness of the other type of dental crowns, plus there is never a dark line at the gumline.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.