I fell in June and broke my two front teeth and the tooth just to the left of them. All three teeth needed root canals and porcelain crowns.

The first crowns were the wrong color and looked too big and bulky, so the dentist replaced them. The second set was a much better match for my natural teeth. Unfortunately, once the crowns were permanently cemented, I could see a grayish color along the gumline of each tooth.

My dentist has agreed to make the crowns again and said she will try to make the cores underneath as white as possible. She also said he can’t guarantee that this will eliminate the gray color. Is there a way to determine what is causing the gray hue before my dentist replaces them again? – Thanks. Liliana from NM

Liliana,

When two or more front teeth need crowns, an experienced cosmetic dentist should be able to closely match their color, shape, size, and translucency to the surrounding natural teeth. Since the first crowns were too large and thick and the second set developed a gray appearance near the gumline, it makes sense to be cautious before having them redone a third time.

The patient should feel comfortable being particular about the result. With proper planning and color management, front crowns can look natural enough that most people cannot distinguish them from natural teeth.

Why Might a Dental Crown Look Gray Near Your Gumline?

Several factors can cause a gray appearance, but a metal post and core beneath a translucent all-ceramic crown would be one possible explanation. Without examining the teeth or knowing the crown materials and the type of post and core used, we cannot say for certain what is causing the discoloration.

Ceramic crowns allow some light to pass through them, much like natural tooth enamel. That translucency can produce a beautiful result, but it also means that the color underneath the crown can influence its final appearance. If a dark tooth or metal post and core is beneath the crown, it may cause it to look gray.

How Can a Dentist Prevent the Underlying Color from Showing Through?

A cosmetic dentist has several ways to manage a dark underlying tooth or metal post and core. The best approach depends on what is already inside the tooth, the tooth’s condition, and the type of ceramic being used.

Possible approaches include:

• Using a fiberglass post with a tooth-colored composite core when clinically appropriate, which makes achieving natural translucency easier
• Placing an opaque material over an existing metal core to block the gray color before bonding the crown
• Giving the dental laboratory detailed information about the location, color, and extent of the underlying metal or dark tooth structure so the technician can incorporate the necessary opacity into the crown

These details matter because the dentist and laboratory technician must consider color underneath the crown and how the ceramic transmits and reflects light.

Should the Patient Have the Crowns Redone Again?

The crowns can likely be corrected, but it’s essential to determine why they look gray at the gumline. Making the cores “as white as possible” may not address the problem if the underlying materials, ceramic selection, or opacity are contributing factors.

Consulting a dentist with strong cosmetic dentistry credentials and experience restoring front teeth could provide another opinion on the posts, cores, crown materials, and laboratory instructions needed to achieve a natural result.

 

The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read why patients say their team offers the best dental care in Monroe.