Would a Porcelain Crown Cause my Gums to Darken?

Sometimes the dark edge around a crown can be the dark root of the tooth under the crown.  Root canal teeth frequently turn dark and it can make the gums appear darker because they are so thin over the root of the tooth.  The dark edge around a crown can also be the material the crown was made of.  Some porcelain (white) crowns have a metal base under the porcelain which can also make the root appear darker.  We use all porcelain crowns without metal that appear natural and do not cause this problem.

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 darken over time as well with a similar result.
The porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns often have a metal collar around them, and if the gums recede this collar becomes visible. New materials don't have this metal and thus no dark line along the gumline.
Your tooth in question probably SHOULD have a crown done, as root canal treated teeth are prone to fracture. Ask for a Lava, eMax or Cercon crown and you should be ok.

Veneers can cost anywhere from $1500 to $2500 a tooth depending on the severity of the case... your specific case will be discussed in detail and all the fees outlined in advace.  We have many financing options available. The true value lies in the final results of an incredible smile.  The art is in the work of the dentist and his expertise and experience.