Gum grafting is generally a minor oral surgical procedure. Depending on the method and pain reliever used, you might be able to go home shortly after the treatment. If you receive sutures during your surgery, Dr. Bembey and Dr. Yokoyama will guide you on the dental do’s and don’ts. Make sure you follow the instructions to a T. It will help ensure fast and effective healing.
What Are Dental Sutures?
Dental sutures are a special type of surgical thread, bandage, or dressing used in oral surgeries. They can be made from a variety of different materials to suit different dental wounds and oral procedures. For your gum graft, we will choose a material that is appropriate for your particular condition.
Why Do I Need Sutures?
Sutures connect the soft tissues around your teeth together to help speed up the healing process. They allow us to close the wound in the surgical site. In other words, you need dental sutures to hold your gum grafts in place.
Do Gum Graft Stitches Dissolve On Their Own?
Depending on the type of sutures used, your gum graft stitches might dissolve by themselves. Dissolving dental sutures typically begin to melt 3 to 5 days post-op. Many patients who receive absorbable sutures notice that they have dissolved before their first follow-up after the surgery.
If you receive dissolvable sutures, your graft might go through many color changes. Your gums might look red and puffy at first. Then they are likely to turn white with sloughing. Eventually, they will turn light to medium pink. Generally, this is normal and nothing to worry about. The changing gum color and texture is a sign of sutures dissolving. The process can take 3 days to 3 weeks.
If dissolvable sutures are not the best option for you, we are likely to use traditional sutures to close your wound. They are typically just as effective. The only difference is that they need to be removed by professionals once your graft has healed. We will inform you of the day you need to come in to get your dental sutures removed.
If you have any queries about dental sutures or gum grafting, come visit us at Encinitas Periodontics & Dental Implants. Or call 760-632-9055 for more information.
