Wisdom Teeth Stitches: How Long Until They Dissolve? (What's Normal)

Understanding Dissolvable Stitches After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Dissolvable (resorbable) stitches are used in the majority of wisdom tooth extractions to close the surgical site, stabilise the blood clot, and promote optimal healing. These sutures are designed to break down naturally within 7-14 days without requiring a separate removal appointment. A review published in the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery found that dissolvable sutures produce healing outcomes equivalent to non-dissolvable sutures in wisdom tooth extraction sites, while eliminating the need for a suture removal visit. The type of suture material, your body’s inflammatory response, and the location of the stitches all influence how quickly they dissolve. At Townsville Dental Clinic, we use high-quality resorbable sutures selected specifically for each procedure and provide clear guidance on what to expect during the dissolution process.

Types of Dissolvable Sutures Used in Wisdom Tooth Surgery

Different suture materials dissolve at different rates. The two most commonly used dissolvable sutures in oral surgery are:

Chromic Gut Sutures

• Material: Processed collagen derived from animal intestine
• Dissolution time: 7-10 days
• Appearance: Tan or brown colour
• Best for: Standard wisdom tooth extractions where short-term tissue support is sufficient

Polyglycolic Acid (Vicryl) Sutures

• Material: Synthetic braided polymer
• Dissolution time: 10-14 days (loses tensile strength by day 14, fully absorbed in 56-70 days)
• Appearance: Violet or undyed white
• Best for: Surgical extractions requiring longer tissue support, such as impacted wisdom teeth

Poliglecaprone (Monocryl) Sutures

• Material: Synthetic monofilament
• Dissolution time: 7-14 days (fully absorbed in 90-120 days)
• Appearance: Undyed or light violet
• Best for: Delicate tissue closure requiring minimal tissue reaction

Your dentist will select the most appropriate suture type based on the complexity of your extraction, the amount of tissue that needs to be closed, and the expected healing requirements.

What to Expect as Stitches Dissolve

The dissolution process follows a predictable pattern:

You may notice small pieces of suture material in your mouth as the stitches break down. This is completely normal. Simply spit them out gently (after the first 24 hours) or let them fall out. Do not be alarmed if a stitch detaches in one piece — this means the tissue underneath has healed sufficiently to no longer need the support.

What If Stitches Fall Out Early?

The timing of stitch loss determines whether intervention is needed:

Within 24 hours of surgery: Contact your dentist. The tissue may not have had sufficient time to begin healing, and re-suturing may be recommended to protect the blood clot and wound closure.

Day 2-3: Contact your dentist for advice. If the wound edges appear to be holding together and there is no active bleeding, re-suturing may not be necessary. Your dentist will assess the site.

Day 4 or later: Early stitch loss after day 4 is rarely a concern. The initial healing phase is typically well established by this point, and the tissue will continue to heal without suture support. Monitor the site for increased pain, bleeding, or swelling and contact your dentist if any of these develop.

Caring for Your Stitches During Recovery

To support proper healing and avoid disturbing your stitches:

• Do not touch, pull, or pick at the stitches with your tongue, fingers, or any objects
• Brush gently around the surgical area, avoiding direct contact with the sutures for the first 48 hours
• Begin gentle salt water rinses from day 2 (half a teaspoon of salt in warm water) to keep the area clean
• Eat soft foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth for at least 7 days
• Avoid crunchy, sticky, or hard foods that could catch on or pull at the sutures
• Do not use commercial mouthwash containing alcohol for at least 7 days

When Stitches Need Professional Removal

In some cases, your dentist may need to remove stitches rather than allowing them to dissolve naturally:

• Non-dissolvable sutures (silk or nylon) are occasionally used and always require removal at 7-10 days
• Dissolvable sutures that persist beyond 3 weeks may need to be removed if they are causing irritation
• Sutures trapping food or debris that cannot be cleaned away may be removed early to prevent infection

Suture removal is a quick, painless procedure that takes less than a minute. Your dentist simply clips and slides the stitch out — no anaesthesia is required.

Related Services

• Wisdom Teeth Removal
• Wisdom Tooth Healing Timeline
• Tooth Extractions

Ready to book? Contact Townsville Dental Clinic

Sources: British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Australian Dental Association Clinical Guidelines.