Would a Porcelain Crown cause my gums to darken?

Hi. I had a root canal on my front tooth 10 years ago and now it's quite discolored. I'm about to get a porcelain crown, but am hesitant if it would be the best approach. Should I just leave the discolored tooth alone? I'm not too confident with any of the dentists here on Dublin because it's hard to find information regarding their skills. Also, on occassion, I've seen people with black, darkened lines in between their gums and teeth. Are they cause by Crown or Veneer, may I ask? Any views?

2 answers to “Would a Porcelain Crown cause my...”

A: Dark gums are either the actual tooth or the crown material

Lance Timmerman, DMD

Or sometimes both.  If you can imagine the root of the tooth as a fiberoptic rod, a traditional "porcelain fused to metal" crown will block the light to the tooth, making the entire root dark.  This can be manifested as dark gums as well.  A tooth that had root canal therapy will... more

A: Needs correct material and proper tooth preparation

Ryan Sellinger, DMD

This is a great question! We see this often. What you are refering to with regard to the darkness at the gum line can be caused by the combination of the discolored tooth reflecting through the gum or the use of a porcelain fused to metal crown.  If the discolored tooth is prepared properly and the... more

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