Wisdom Teeth Removal: 3 Things That Make Stitches Easier To Manage
Wisdom teeth removal is a common operation for most Americans. So much so that 85% of Americans have had their wisdom teeth removed. Understanding the process can help you feel more comfortable with the procedure. While most patients focus solely on the process involved with extracting the wisdom teeth, familiarizing yourself with what happens after the wisdom teeth are removed is equally as important. In particular, you should get to know more details about how the wound is sewn up with stitches. Here are 3 things you should know that will make managing the stitches easier.
Choose Dissolvable Stitches for Convenience
Your dentist can either seal the wound with dissolvable or non-dissolvable stitches. To make your life easier, choose dissolvable stitches whenever given the opportunity. This means that the stitches will dissolve in your mouth on their own, so you won't need to book further appointments to get the stitches removed. Dissolvable stitches are made from polyglactin or polyglycoid and will usually loosen up after 4 weeks. They normally are completely dissolved after 4 months.
Ask for Interrupted Sutures for Added Stability
The type of suture patterning that the dentist uses can also affect whether or not the stitches are stable. This will influence whether the stitches may come out easily or not. You can choose between interrupted sutures or continuous sutures. Interrupted sutures mean that each stitch is made independently of one another, whereas continuous sutures means that the suture is used multiple times before getting anchored down.
In general, interrupted sutures take a bit more effort to complete; however, they are much more stable. If one of the stitches come apart, it will have no effect on the other stitches. On the other hand, if one stitch of a continuous suture comes apart, the entire unit may completely unravel.
Give Permission for Sufficient Tissue Flaps to Be Carved Out for Security
The tissue flaps are considered to be the base of the stitching. You need a secure base to ensure that the stitching won't come apart and unravel. As a result, make sure that the dentist understands that you don't mind if they have to pull or stretch on the tissue flaps in order to get them large enough for the stitches.
Getting your wisdom teeth removed can be very scary. Understanding the process can help you feel more at ease throughout the entire operation and make better and more informed decisions regarding what you want. For more information, contact local professionals like Family Medical Dental Center.
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