What are dissolvable stitches?

Dissolvable stitches are made of sterile, absorbable compounds and materials that eventually disintegrate over a period of time inside the body.

Dissolvable stitches are helpful when getting your wisdom teeth out because the level of care after such a procedure is usually minimal.

In other words, you don’t need to see your doctor afterward except for quick checkup-unless complications arise with the healing process.

Dissolvable stitches, as in the name, are designed to dissolve on their own without any intervention from oral surgeons.

There are a few things that affect how long the stitches will take to dissolve and these are-

The size of the stitches- larger stitches may take a longer time to dissolve than smaller stitches.

The ingredients the stitches are made of- Some stitches are made to last longer in order to heal the wounds.

Type and size of incision - larger incisions require more stitches or larger stitches, which will take time to heal.

The location of stitches- the stitches are affected by the moisture surrounding the area and take time to heal.

All of these factors are important to consider when it comes to understanding how long it will take for your own wisdom teeth stitches to dissolve.

How to care for your stitches after wisdom teeth removal

Properly caring for the incision site after wisdom teeth removal is essential to your recovery and proper healing.

When it comes to your stitches specifically, it’s not uncommon for them to bother some people - especially if a stitch becomes loose or pokes out inside your mouth.

You need to follow these specific guidelines while caring for your teeth-

Don’t try to pull out your stitches.

Let your oral surgeon be aware of your concerns or any changes in your healing.

Inform yourself of what you can expect with your own healing process.

Don’t use straws, chewing gum, or other especially chewy or hard foods.

Keep your mouth clean, and try not to disturb the incision area.

Signs of complications to be aware of

The good news is that dissolvable stitches are not likely to cause many complications, including infection, however, complications cannot be ruled out altogether.

Here are a few signs to look out for which indicate you need to contact your oral surgeon immediately-

Excessive pain that does not subside with mild painkillers.

A raised body temperature or fever.

Irritation or redness around the incision area.

A swollen incision area.

Any fluid excretion from the incision area.

These symptoms indicate that your wisdom teeth incision area is not healing properly, and you may be dealing with an infection.

How we can help you

Having your wisdom teeth removed can be a little daunting, and it’s understandable that you probably have plenty of questions and concerns about the procedure.

Here at the Dental Group of Simi Valley in California, we have helped countless individuals successfully get through the process of wisdom teeth removal. Feel free to call us.

Thank You!