Dental Sutures

For patients to properly heal after a surgical procedure, dentists must use the appropriate sutures. The right sutures properly close the wound and secure the surgical flaps, which promotes healing. There are a variety of suture types available, with some better for certain procedures than others. Sutures must be easy to use and selected based on the procedure being performed. Sutures should feature tensile strength, tissue biocompatibility and offer minimal knot slippage. Resorbable or absorbable sutures are typically most convenient for patients, though resorbable sutures might not be a good option for patients with a low intraoral pH. Gut sutures, chromic gut sutures, and Polyglycolic sutures are examples of resorbable sutures. If you opt for non-absorbable sutures, such as nylon or silk, the patient must return about a week after placement to have them removed. It’s important to select the best size and type of suture for each procedure. This will help promote healing and reduce scar tissue. Many sutures types can be used for a variety of wounds and procedures. Choose the one that’s best for each patient.