Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
About Verity Longpar
Understanding Some Facts About Oral Sutures
Eleanor Crawford
Oral surgeries sometimes need to be completed and the removal of an impacted wisdom tooth is one that commonly needs to be completed. Some people have a great deal of anxiety about oral operations. This is a natural and normal concern. One of the main concerns that elicits a feeling of fear is the idea that the surgical area can bleed for some time. Bleeding is normal for the first 24 to 48 hours. Your dentist will do a variety of things to make sure this bleeding is minimized, like stitching the area. If you want to understand a little more about the stitches that will be used, then read through the following facts.
Stitches Stabilize The Wound
Surgical operations will almost always involve wound closure. The type of closure can vary greatly based on the type of procedure that is completed. Common closing techniques involve surgical glue, staples, and stitches. In the case of oral surgery, stitches are used. This is necessary due to the moist nature of the surgical area. The stitches are used to help stabilize the wound. Stabilization means keeping the tissue flaps on either side of the wound closed and moving the two sides of the wound closer together. Also, the stitches place pressure on the wound to stop bleeding.
Wound stabilization assists the body in healing. However, it also allows the wound to go through the clotting process before healing can take place. This is vitally important in the mouth. Clotting does not occur nearly as quickly in a moist environment. As fibers form the clot, your saliva washes them away. The fluid also softens the clot that has formed. These things can contribute to an unstable wound that bleeds. This is why stitches are almost always needed after oral surgery and also why stitches are relatively tight and close together.
Different Stitches Can Be Used
There are two different types of stitches that can be used to close the extraction site. These include absorbable and nonabsorbable varieties. Absorbable stitches are made from materials that can be naturally broken down by the body. They are typically made from collagen, and this material breaks down over time. This allows the stitches to remain in the mouth for a period of time before they dissolve. The sutures can be made to dissolve quickly or to remain intact for some time. The ones used for oral surgery dissolve in about 10 days.
Absorbable stitches are somewhat flexible. If more advanced wound stabilization is required, then your dentist may choose to use nonabsorbable stitches instead. These sutures are made from materials, like nylon, that must be physically removed from the body once it heals. If your dentist decides to use these stitches, then you will need to make arrangements for removal.
Share