A study of discoloration of the gingiva by artificial crowns.

In this study, soft tissue discoloration including the marginal gingiva, gingival papilla, and attached gingiva were evaluated in subjects with artificial crowns and compared to the soft tissue of natural teeth using a spectrophotometer. Gingivae around artificial crowns had a lower value (L*) and chroma (C*ab) than the gingivae surrounding natural teeth. Hue (Hab o) shifts toward red-purple were frequently noted. There was generally a more noticeable color difference (E*ab) in the marginal gingiva and gingival papilla of teeth with crowns than was found in the attached tissue.