Why are dental sutures an important part of oral surgery and implantology?
Dental sutures help ensure the success of a procedure by supporting wounds and holding soft tissue in place while it heals. They also help stem blood flow and maintain oral aesthetics after surgery.
In other words, suturing is the safety net that keeps everything safe, secure, and where it needs to be while wounds heal.
Are absorbable or non-absorbable dental sutures better?
A key difference to consider when buying dental sutures is the benefits of absorbable and non-absorbable materials. An absorbable suture can be left in the patient's mouth, and will eventually disintegrate by themselves without any lasting effect. Non-absorbable sutures need to be removed in a follow-up appointment.
There are benefits to both. The obvious advantage of absorbable materials is the convenience they offer for dentists and their patients- since no further intervention is required. On the other hand, non-absorbable sutures are stronger, easier to work with, and more comfortable.
Generally speaking, non-absorbable materials such as silk and nylon are used in oral surgeries- while absorbable materials are the preferred choice for a lot of dentists following simple tooth extractions and soft tissue biopsies.
How long do dental sutures take to dissolve?
Absorbable sutures don’t all take the same time to absorb. It depends on the specific material, the type of procedure, and the individual patient.
Across the entire GDT Implants dental suture catalog, the absorption time ranges from 40 days to around seven months. The Rapid RPGA sutures are designed specifically for faster absorption (40-45 days). At the other end of the spectrum are PLX sutures, which take between 180 and 210 days. Something worth noting is the longer a suture takes to absorb, the longer it maintains its tensile strength and wound support.
What are the different suture materials, and what ones are best?
GDT Implants offers eight different suture materials in its catalog- all of which are thoroughly tested, and very effective for use in a range of oral procedures. There is no 'best' suture material, as it depends on the surgery in question and the individual patient's needs. For Example, absorbable sutures like Chromic Gut and Plain Catgut are excellent for internal tissues, while non-absorbable options like nylon and silk are ideal for skin closure and areas requiring long-term support.
Some suture materials reach full absorption faster than others (the Rapid RPGA is the winner in this category). Others offer better tissue support for longer (braided silk sutures, for example). It is important to identify the primary needs of your patient before choosing a suture.
