Hi. I am sorry to hear that your crown broke underneath the gum line. I would assume that it is on a front tooth and it is understandable that you are concerned about it. Your questions are all very valid and it could be tricky to provide you with relevant answers because things can get a little complicated. The answers really depend on the cosmetic appearance of the tooth in subject in relation to the adjacent teeth. Would you be able to snap 2 quick pictures of your smile, including the front tooth with black root - #1: one picture with the way it shows when you smile and #2: one with you flipping your lip up showing the teeth and the gums. With some photographs, it will be easier to answer your questions more accurately! Looking forward to your reply. Dr. Lilian Mui, Dentist, Calgary