A Natural-Looking Smile Transformation

Replacing an Old Crown and Improving the Gum Line: A Natural-Looking Smile Transformation

A dark line around an older dental crown can make the restoration stand out from the surrounding teeth. In this case, the patient’s existing crown was also shorter than the adjacent teeth, affecting the balance and symmetry of the smile.

At Elgin Dental Care & Implant Clinic in Maida Vale, the tooth was treated with a combination of laser gum contouring and a bespoke all-ceramic crown.

What caused the dark line around the crown?

The patient’s previous crown was made from porcelain bonded to metal, sometimes referred to as a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown.

This type of crown contains a metal substructure beneath the outer porcelain layer. Over time, the metal edge can become visible near the gum line, particularly where the gum has changed position or the crown margin is no longer fully concealed.

In this case, the visible metal margin created a noticeable dark line around the crown.

Improving the proportions of the tooth

Replacing the crown alone would not have fully addressed the appearance of the tooth. The gum line also needed to be adjusted so that more of the tooth could be exposed.

A dental laser was used to carefully reshape the gum surrounding the crown. This procedure is often referred to as laser gum contouring or gum reshaping.

The aim was to

make the tooth appear longer;
improve its proportions;
create a more balanced gum line;
bring the tooth into better alignment with the adjacent teeth.

Laser treatment allows the dentist to reshape the gum tissue precisely. The area was then given time to heal before the final crown was fitted.

Replacing the old crown with an all-ceramic crown

Once the gum had healed and the new gum line was stable, the old porcelain-bonded-to-metal crown was removed.

It was replaced with a bespoke all-ceramic crown.

Unlike the previous restoration, an all-ceramic crown does not contain a metal substructure. This makes it possible to create a more natural-looking result, particularly in the front of the mouth where colour, translucency and light reflection are important.

The new crown was carefully designed to match the surrounding teeth in:

shape;
colour;
length;
surface texture;
overall proportions.

Because there was no metal margin, the dark line visible around the previous crown was eliminated.

The final result

The combined treatment improved both the tooth and the surrounding gum line.

The final crown appears longer and is better aligned with the adjacent teeth. Its all-ceramic construction also creates a softer, more natural appearance at the gum margin.

Rather than focusing only on the crown itself, the treatment considered the relationship between the restoration, the gum tissue and the rest of the smile.

Could an old crown be replaced

A crown may need to be assessed when:

a dark or grey line is visible near the gum;
the crown no longer matches the surrounding teeth;
the gum has receded;
the crown looks too short, wide or prominent;
the crown is damaged, worn or loose;
there is discomfort or sensitivity around the tooth.

The most appropriate treatment will depend on the condition of the tooth, the existing crown, the surrounding gums and the patient’s oral health.

Some cases may only require crown replacement. Others may benefit from additional treatment, such as gum contouring, to achieve a more balanced result.

Every patient is different. A clinical consultation is required to assess suitability, discuss treatment options and explain the potential risks, benefits and expected outcomes.

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