Dental implantation surgery often includes damages of soft tissue. For this reason, a good dentist must have strong knowledge about the process of suturing after placement of the implant.
There are several materials used in the process of wound suturing. They are divided into resorbable and non-resorbable materials. All materials have different origin that is why some of them are not suitable for dental implantation. Why? Read in the article below!
Resorbable stitch material includes catgut, dexon and vicryl.
Catgut is a classic natural stitch material used in dentistry over 150 years. This material stays in oral cavity to two weeks. In case you want to tie a catgut, you will need both surgical and conventional knots. This material is absorbed with phagocytosis processes and enzymes effects. Remember that catgut may cause soft tissue inflammation because it consists of heterogeneous proteins. For this reason, catgut is not suitable for dental implantation and tissues transplantation surgeries. The inflammatory processes would perish whole surgery results.
Synthetic resorbable suture materials include dexon and vicryl. These materials have different origin: dexon is made from polyglycolic acid, and vicryl is made from polyglactin. Both materials are easy-to-use but you should use surgical knots in order to tie them properly.
These materials are resorbed with the help of hydrolysis that ends after a month and they can be used in dental implantation because they do not cause inflammatory reactions. It is important to note that stitches must be removed no later than 10 days after surgery.
Non-resorbable stitch materials include silk, polyether and monofilament.
The most commonly applicable non-resorbable material for sutures is silk. This material is made from proteins of silkworms. It is very comfortable material for both dentists and patients. Moreover, silk material is known for its strength. However, it has one drawback – inflammation of the mucous membrane. Try to avoid this material for wounds suturing, vascular legation, graft fixing and bone grafts. Silk stitches should be removed 5 – 7 days after surgery.
Polyester suture material has the same advantages as silk, but it does not cause inflammation. This material is often covered with polytetrafluoroethylene, silicone or polybutadiene.
Monofilament sutures are made of polytetrafluoroethylene. Such suture has good mechanical characteristics without inflammatory reactions. Monofilament suture is good for periodontal membrane, since it is suitable for long-term contact with mucous membrane. The only downside is coarse ends of this suture that damage mucosa.
In the next article you will find a lot of useful information about needles and suture types in dental implantatology.