What Is This Black Line Around My Dental Crown and What Can I Do About It?

January 13, 2026

Lady thinks something over

Dental crowns are remarkable restorative devices that are designed to keep compromised teeth beautiful as well as functional for many years. While porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can be an excellent way to address extensive dental damage, they can develop unsightly black lines around their bases as they age. Here’s why this happens and how your dentist can keep your tooth safe and gorgeous with a beautiful all-ceramic crown.

Why Is a Black Line Forming Around My Dental Crown?

A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown consists of a metal piece that anchors the device to the tooth and a ceramic sheath that gives it the appearance of natural dental enamel. While these devices can look great for many years if they receive excellent care, aging appliances can develop distracting black lines around their bases as the ceramic component separates from the metal base. If your restoration is showing an unpleasant dark line, it’s probably a great idea to have it replaced.

How Can My Dentist Get Rid of This Black Line?

While porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have been effective ways to restore the beauty and function of teeth damaged by injury or infection for several decades, today’s dentists can protect compromised pearly whites using lifelike metal-free restorations. Your dentist will be happy to painlessly remove your old crown, inspect the tooth wearing it to make sure it’s still in good shape, and place a gorgeous all-ceramic device that will not show a dark line as it ages.

How Can I Keep My Dental Crown in Great Shape?

Dental crowns need proper care and maintenance to stay beautiful and functional, and they only require the same oral hygiene routine as natural dental structures. You’ll have to brush, floss, and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash every day while taking special care to clean around the seam between your crown and the treated tooth. It’s also important to avoid aggressive chewing, wear a mouthguard if you play sports or grind your teeth in your sleep, and refrain from bad habits like using your teeth to open packages or chewing on non-food materials like ice, wood, plastic, metal, and fingernails.

Don’t let an unsightly dark line around your crown make you shy about showing off your smile. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand how to achieve a beautiful and healthy grin.

About the Practice

Healthy Smiles Dental Care offers the best oral health services in Chelsea. Led by Drs. Steven Rodriguez, Alison Tseng, Hana Gadalla, and Brent Mueller, the skilled staff ensures that each patient enjoys pleasant and effective treatment experiences. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, emergency, and restorative dentistry such as dental crowns. To learn more about the benefits of metal-free crowns, contact the office online or dial (734) 475-8911.