Why is my new (9 months) dental crown turning black?

I had a root canal and subsequent dental crown in June 2007. It's on a rear molar on the top left of my mouth...in other words it's on a tooth I don't look at often. Within the last few weeks, I've been imagining a slight feeling in that tooth. Maybe not. Last night I took a good look at it with a pocket mirror and was shocked to see that there is now a black circular 'spot' centered on the top of the crown that measures approximately 3mm in size. The black appears to have 'bled' through the white (non metal) crown.





I have scheduled an exam with my dentist already, but the closest available appointment is 3 weeks away. If I had reason to think this was an emergency, I guess I could get my appointment moved up. In the meantime, I'm dying to know what the black spot could be. Any ideas? Is this an emergency?

Why is my new (9 months) dental crown turning black?
THIS IS PROBABLY THE NON-PORCELAIN PORTION OF THE CRONW BASE OF NON-PRECIOUS METAL SHOWING THROUGH.


THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY AND THE DENTIST MAY CHOOSE TO DO NOTHING.
Reply:perhaps you have bruxism? grinding your teeth? clenching?





i'm thinking the metal underneath the porceline cap is coming through because you've ground away the porceline? maybe?





probably not an emergency. but i'd have it checked to make sure it's not cracked.


good luck!
Reply:Most crowns are made of a metal core covered with porcelain to look natural, which is what it sounds like you have. Often crowns are designed with the biting surface to be metal for clinical reasons. It may have been that way all along and you simply didn't notice (easy to do) or it may be that you have fractured the porcelain and it is now showing the metal underneath. If that is what has happened, it doesn't affect the structural integrity of the crown itself, only the cosmetic part. However, it indicates that you are biting too hard on that tooth and your dentist needs to adjust it. Hitting too hard on a tooth can make your teeth sensitive and sore. Adjusting it is quick and painless. Well worth a visit to the dentist. Neither case is an emergency unless the tooth begins to hurt.





Good luck!

slippers