The concern about pain during the removal of dental stitches is understandable, but for most people, the process is quick and involves minimal discomfort, often described as a strange sensation rather than actual pain. Dental stitches, formally known as sutures, are medical threads used to close incisions and wounds following various dental surgeries, such as tooth extractions or gum grafts. Their purpose is to hold the gum tissue in the correct position to protect the healing surgical site and encourage proper recovery.
The Purpose of Dental Sutures
Sutures are placed to secure the edges of the gum tissue together, stabilizing the wound and promoting the formation of a necessary blood clot over the surgical site. This mechanical closure helps prevent complications like a dry socket and minimizes excessive bleeding. Dentists select between two main types of sutures based on the required healing time and the complexity of the surgery.
Non-dissolvable sutures, typically made of materials like silk or nylon, remain intact until the dentist removes them, usually seven to fourteen days after placement. These threads offer superior tensile strength and are often preferred in cases requiring prolonged or more precise tissue support, such as with bone grafts or complex implant surgeries. Dissolvable, or absorbable, sutures are crafted from materials the body can naturally break down over a period of days to weeks, eliminating the need for a follow-up removal appointment.
The Removal Procedure and Expected Sensations
The procedure for removing non-dissolvable sutures is quick, often lasting less than a minute for a few stitches. The dentist will first gently clean the area to remove any plaque or debris that may have collected around the threads. This cleaning ensures that the removal is hygienic and smooth, preventing the introduction of bacteria into the healing tissue.
Using sterile, fine-tipped instruments, usually specialized tweezers and small surgical scissors, the clinician will grasp the knot of the suture. The scissors are used to snip the thread in a clean section near the gum line, ensuring only the exposed, potentially contaminated portion of the thread is pulled through the tissue. The stitch is then gently pulled out in one continuous motion.
This process is largely painless because the tissue surrounding the thread is already healed and lacks the sensitive nerve endings present in an open wound. Patients typically report feeling a light tugging, a mild pressure, or even a tickle as the thread slides through the healed gum tissue. Any momentary discomfort is more related to the tactile sensation of the thread passing through the tissue than a sharp, painful injury.
Immediate Care Following Stitch Removal
Immediately after the sutures are removed, the surgical site may feel slightly exposed or tender, but this sensation is temporary. It is not uncommon to experience a very minor amount of pinpoint bleeding from the tiny holes where the threads were secured. This minor bleeding usually stops immediately after the removal procedure.
For the next 24 hours, managing oral hygiene gently is important to protect the newly unstitched site. Patients should resume brushing their teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush, carefully avoiding aggressively scrubbing the area where the stitches were removed. Rinsing with warm salt water is highly recommended, as it promotes cleanliness and healing without irritating the gums.
To prepare the rinse, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gently swish it in the mouth, allowing the solution to flow over the treated area. Patients should avoid forceful spitting, using a straw, or smoking for the rest of the day, as these actions create negative pressure that could potentially disturb the healing gums. Any lingering tenderness can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relief medication.