Today’s wisdom tooth extractions are smooth and painless, but they get a bit invasive. You’ll likely have some stitches at the treatment site after your surgery. With that said, you may wonder: Do wisdom teeth stitches dissolve after a while, or do they hang around? Your Marietta oral surgeon will gladly address this question before your treatment starts. So, read on to learn about wisdom teeth stitches, whether they dissolve, and how best to manage them.
Removing Wisdom Teeth Involves Stitches
Though wisdom tooth removal is often smooth and pain-free, it still requires invasive steps. That means your surgeon or dentist will leave stitches where your third molar was.
You see, dental teams need room to grip a wisdom tooth properly. They can’t remove it safely otherwise; trying to do so would cause further oral damage. With that said, they’ll make an incision in the tooth’s surrounding gums to get a firm hold. They’ll then close the cut tissue with stitches called sutures once the extraction is done.
All in all, stitches help the cut gum tissue heal properly. They also reduce the amount of post-treatment swelling, minimizing your extraction’s negative symptoms.
Do Wisdom Teeth Stitches Dissolve Over Time?
Wisdom teeth stitches often dissolve, but whether they do or not depends on the treating dentist. Some dental practices use different kinds of stitches than others.
If your surgeon uses “dissolving stitches,” then expect your stitches to disintegrate on their own. They’ll likely disappear within a few weeks or (at most) a month. Granted, the pace at which they fade is shaped by the extraction’s severity, the size of the stitch, and the stitch material used.
Of course, some surgeons use stitches that don’t dissolve. These kinds are removed after roughly 7-10 days of healing.
How Should You Care for Wisdom Teeth Stitches?
You’ll need to care for your wisdom teeth stitches to ensure good treatment results. That being said, remember to follow these standard aftercare instructions:
- Gently Rinse with Salt Water – About 24 hours after your surgery, gently rinse with salt water. Doing so reduces your risk of a post-treatment infection.
- Avoid Certain Foods & Drinks – Some meal items could tear or disrupt your stitches. Given that fact, only have soft foods like smoothies, yogurt, or scrambled eggs for a while.
- Don’t Spit or Smoke – Suction can dislodge the blood clot forming over the extraction site, so please don’t spit or smoke while you’re healing.
If you have an issue with your stitches, don’t hesitate to see your dental provider. They’ll handle the situation and ensure your smile heals well!
About the Practice
Muskingum Valley Oral Surgery is based in Marietta, OH. Led by Dr. Jeff Lee, our practice is always eager to repair broken smiles and help them thrive. That means we offer a variety of oral surgeries, from dental implant placements and tooth extractions to bite corrections. Our team always undertakes these procedures with patient safety in mind, so you can trust you’ll get amazing results! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (740)-236-9392.