Can old crown silver at gum line be covered? (photos)

Question

I have a back molar that shows when I smile and the edge of old silver crown near gum line is showing. I had tooth filling put on it and it lasted 8 years - when we didn't think it would make six months. There is a small amount still hanging on in the middle of the tooth but when I smile it looks like I have pepper in my teeth. Should the same procedure again or is there some other means of providing coverage along the crown line of that back tooth"

Anthony Mobasser, DDS, DMD · Answer

Dental crowns made of metal, can show the metal specially if the preparation of the dentist is not under the gum, or possibly due to recession, or just possibly due to an inaccurate fit of your dental crown on your tooth.You must evaluate what the cause of metal showing?If the fit is perfect, and you want a more esthetic dental crown, you have two choices:1- redo your crown with an all porcelain crown, due to cosmetic needs, which happens to be your best choice2- get an expert dentist, to bond over the metal, which is a complicated process of applying opaque color and many other steps to hide and mask the metal.Good Luck!

Sarah Thompson, DMD · Answer

Hello there,I would not recommend trying to cover the metal on your PFM crown with a filling.  It sounds like you had this type of patchwork done previously and as you know it is only temporary.  I would recommend replacing your old PFM crown with a natural looking Zirconia crown.  Zirconia is just as durable as PFM, but since these crowns are made of a tooth colored material they are great for aesthetics. You'll never have to worry about metal show through again.  Good luck and I hope this helps. Follow me if you have more questions.Sarah Thompson, DMDSt. Louis, MO area (O'Fallon, IL)Real Self 100

Navid Zamani, DMD · Answer

Unfortunately the area of the crown that is showing with the metal of the crown can not be covered with any means. There may be a small gap between the seal of the tooth and crown itself. It is best to evaluate the tooth and the current condition of the crown to make sure there is no existence of any gaps or caries.  You may elect to replace the crown for esthetics reasons by an all ceramic crown, in which there will not be any metal used to fabricate the crown and hence more cosmetic and natural.All the best,

Roger Tran, DDS · Answer

Hi!  The silver on the gum line doesn't look very appealing I understand.  The best way to make it go away is to make a new Full Porcelain crown without any metal.  You will be very happy!  I wouldn't recommend trying to patch it up with a white filling.  It will come off and it can cause gum problems.

Doug Jopling, DDS · Answer

Your crown has served you for many years and then it was repaired and served you several more years after that. At this point it would be best to replace that crown with a new, modern material such as zirconium which is tooth colored all the way through the entire crown. This would not have any shiny metal and would cover the area that had been prepared away to repair the crown previously. I think you would be much happier and your tooth would probably be much healthier by doing a new ceramic or zirconium crown at this point. Douglas Jopling,  DDSDallas, Texas area

Can old crown silver at gum line be covered? (photos)

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