From the Research
Oral stitches typically dissolve within 7 to 14 days, depending on the specific type of suture material used, with synthetic materials like Vicryl being a preferred choice due to their superior microbiological properties and faster healing rates 1. The dissolution time of oral sutures can vary depending on the type of material used, with some sutures dissolving faster than others.
- Fast-dissolving sutures like chromic gut may disappear within 3 to 5 days,
- while synthetic materials like polyglycolic acid (PGA) or polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) might take 7 to 14 days to fully dissolve 2, 3. The mouth's moist environment and abundance of enzymes in saliva actually accelerate the dissolution process compared to stitches placed elsewhere on the body.
- During healing, it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene by gently brushing around the area and rinsing with salt water after meals to keep the area clean 4.
- Avoid spicy, hard, or crunchy foods that might irritate the surgical site or damage the stitches. If you notice any stitches remaining after two weeks, or if you experience increasing pain, swelling, or signs of infection, contact your dental provider for evaluation. The choice of suture material can impact the healing process, with synthetic monofilament sutures like Vicryl showing superior results in terms of faster healing rates and lower incidence of complications 1, 3.