Whether you’re recovering from a recent implant or extract, or something a bit more intensive such as a bone graft or periodontal surgery, you probably had stitches put in place to close up the wound.
Also known as dental sutures, the nice thing about these is they typically don’t have to be removed from a professional like most other types of stitches. This saves you a trip back to the dentist, but also raises the question - how long do dental sutures take to dissolve?
As with most things related to dental procedures, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s going to depend on factors like the material of the sutures in question, the specific procedure that was performed, oral-care habits post-procedure, and more.
In general, though, the dental sutures dissolve time tends to be somewhere between 7-14 days. Learn more about how long for dental sutures to dissolve below, including what to do if you notice your dental sutures not dissolving within the typical timeframe.
Do Dental Sutures Dissolve on Their Own?
First things first - do dental sutures dissolve on their own? Not always, but it’s safe to assume yours will since that has become the standard in modern dentistry.
Most other types of stitches outside of the oral cavity (in your skin) need to be removed by a professional within a specific timeframe. But absorbable dental sutures dissolve on their own to save you the hassle of a follow up visit.
They’re typically made from polyglycolic acid (PGA) or catgut, materials designed to break down naturally over time through enzymatic or hydrolytic processes. This not only makes life easier for the patient but also the practitioner since they can focus on new cases.
Just be sure that your sutures actually are absorbable, as there are still some cases of dental professionals using non-absorbable sutures depending on the type of surgery, patient preferences, and the expected healing time.
Factors Influencing the Dental Sutures Dissolve Time
So, how long do dental sutures take to dissolve? Similar to questions like how long does dental cement last, how long does dental putty last, or how long to leave gauze in after tooth extraction, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
As we said from the start, there are just too many moving pieces associated with the dental sutures dissolve time. Let’s get into those factors to help you set your expectations for.
Suture Material Composition
The primary determinant of how long for dental sutures to dissolve is which of the dental suture types is being used. We have a more detailed guide breaking down all the common styles if you’re interested, but we’ll just focus on PGA and chromic gut for the sake of this guide.
Different materials dissolve at different rates. Chromic gut typically takes a bit longer than PGA because they break down in different ways - either through hydrolysis or enzymatic action. The thickness of the sutures will also dictate how long they last.
Location of Sutures in the Mouth
The placement of sutures within the oral cavity impacts longevity as well to some degree. Remember, many of these break down through exposure to moisture - which is why those placed near salivary glands are known for dissolving quicker given more regular contact.
On the other hand, sutures in less active areas of the mouth - say, the roof of the mouth - will take a bit longer to break down.
The Procedure in Question
Sometimes dental sutures last longer or dissolve faster based on the specific procedure being performed. Take wisdom teeth extraction, for example. The sutures may be exposed to more movement, food particles, and saliva which can accelerate the dental sutures dissolve time.
Meanwhile, something like a soft tissue graft would be subject to less physical stress and thus would go through a more meticulous, controlled dissolving process.
Patient-Specific Factors
A patient’s age, metabolism, and overall health also plays a role in how long for dental sutures to dissolve. Those with faster metabolic rates or quicker healing abilities will find their sutures breaking down quickly.
It’s also worth noting that other conditions can speed up or slow down the process, like dry mouth or immune deficiencies.
Post-Operative Care and Oral Hygiene
The specific oral care regimen a patient follows post-operation will also dictate the dental sutures dissolve time to a certain extent. The specific guidelines will vary from patient to patient, procedure to procedure.
In general, though, proper oral hygiene includes gentle brushing and the use of mouth rinses as directed to keep the surgical site clean and prevent infections. Aggressive brushing or neglecting oral hygiene altogether could disrupt the effectiveness of sutures and in turn delay healing.
How Long Do Dental Sutures Take to Dissolve?
So, how long do dental sutures take to dissolve? Your dentist or oral surgeon will be able to provide you with a more accurate estimate of what you can expect for how long for dental sutures to dissolve.
But in general, the dental sutures dissolve time tends to be somewhere between 7-10 days. It can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks for the sutures to fully dissolve, mostly dependent on the material used:
- Plain Gut Sutures: Often used for simple oral surgeries, they start dissolving within 5-7 days and are fully absorbed in about 7-10 days.
- Chromic Gut Sutures: Treated with chromium salts to prolong their lifespan, these last 10-14 days before breaking down and may take up to 21 days for complete absorption.
- PGA Sutures: Known for their predictable absorption and durability. These may last up to 3-4 weeks before fully dissolving. Ideal for complex or longer-healing procedures.
It’s important to differentiate between sutures losing strength and fully dissolving. Many sutures lose tensile strength - meaning they no longer provide structural support - within a few days to a week. Complete material absorption may take longer, though.
Tips on Caring for Your Dental Stitches in the Meantime
As we said earlier, your dentist or surgeon should provide you with detailed instructions on caring for the healing site while awaiting your sutures to dissolve. But, here are some general guidelines you can follow:
Dos and Don’ts of Eating and Drinking
As uncomfortable as it may be, you still need to eat while waiting for your sutures to dissolve. Stick to soft, non-irritating foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs to avoid straining the surgical site.
While a soft, cold smoothie sounds tempting, make sure to ditch the straw. The suction can dislodge blood clots and delay healing. This is also going to increase the risk of dry socket, which leads to complications of its own.
Similarly, you should avoid hard or sticky foods like nuts, chips, and caramel as these can dislodge stitches or irritate the area.
Drink plenty of water - not just because hydration is the foundation of overall health and wellness, but because it will help keep the healing site clean and prevent the sutures from drying out.
Importance of Gentle Cleaning
The location of your sutures will influence how easily and comfortably you can continue to follow proper oral care habits. You may be directed to use a warm saltwater solution 24 hours post-surgery to keep the area clean without irritating the stitches. This is commonplace.
It’s also important to use a soft-bristle toothbrush and avoid scrubbing near the stitches. Instead, focus on surrounding teeth to prevent bacteria buildup.
Contrary to what many assume, mouthwash isn’t a good idea while the site is healing. At least, not alcohol-based mouthwashes. These can irritate healing tissues. Stick to dentist-approved rinses if necessary.
Pain Management During Healing
It’s normal to deal with pain and discomfort in the wake of oral surgery. Follow your dentist’s instructions on painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications to keep discomfort at bay. You might want to use ice packs to reduce swelling and pain as well.
While some soreness is normal, sharp or worsening pain may indicate an issue and should be reported to your dentist. Listen to your body and trust your gut on this.
Avoiding Physical Strain
You’d think it wouldn’t have any effect on the healing process, but try to avoid heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for a while. These activities would increase blood flow to the area and cause the healing site to bleed.
Of course, avoid physically touching the sutures if you can manage it. It’s natural to feel like prodding or pulling at them with your fingers or tongue, but this will introduce bacteria and potentially loosen them.
Try to elevate your head while sleeping. An extra pillow will help reduce swelling and prevent blood pooling near the sutures.
What to Do About Dental Sutures Not Dissolving
Ideally your sutures would dissolve within the typical timeframe and you’d be well on your way to living a normal life once again. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, patients deal with dental sutures not dissolving.
If you’ve waited patiently for the standard timeline for how long for dental sutures to dissolve and still don’t see your sutures dissolving, don’t freak out. First, confirm that they’re actually supposed to dissolve on their own and not be removed by a professional.
After confirming they’re absorbable, resist the urge to pull the sutures out yourself. This could cause damage to healing tissues and introduce the risk of infection.
Instead, get in touch with the dentist who performed your procedure and tell them what you’re dealing with. They’ll be able to determine if it’s worth a visit to their practice or not for a professional evaluation, or if you just need to wait a bit longer.
In the meantime, continue caring for your healing site as instructed. Try not to stress about dental sutures not dissolving on your schedule - it just takes time!
Final Words on How Long for Dental Sutures to Dissolve
So, how long do dental sutures take to dissolve? We hope this guide on the dental sutures dissolve time has left you with a clear understanding of all the moving pieces at typical timelines.
The general rule of thumb for how long for dental sutures to dissolve is somewhere between 7-10 days, though it’s not uncommon for it to take between 2-3 weeks for complete absorption.
Find additional resources on topics like how strong is dental cement, how often do temporary crowns fall out, mixing alginate, how long does a temporary crown last, dental suctioning techniques, what are temporary crowns made of, or how to make a temporary crown at home.
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