From Volume 38, Issue 5, June 2011 | Pages 329-334
Sutures are routinely used to achieve haemostasis and to approximate soft tissues after extractions, periodontal procedures, implant surgery and soft tissue biopsies. This paper provides the general dental practitioner with the knowledge and understanding of sutures to select the most appropriate for use. Common suturing techniques are also discussed.
The history of surgical suturing has been traced back to ancient Egyptian times and the first written record of suture materials and techniques can be found in the texts of the Indian physician Sushruta from the sixth century BC.1 Well known suture materials, such as catgut and silk, have existed since ancient times; no great advances in suture materials were made until after World War II, when synthetic non-resorbable and resorbable fibres were developed.2
The purpose of a suture is to hold the tissues in place to permit healing by primary intention and to control bleeding.3 Suturing is undoubtedly integral to the practice of dentistry and every dentist develops the skill as an undergraduate. In dentistry, sutures are routinely used to achieve haemostasis and to approximate soft tissues after extractions, periodontal procedures, implant surgery and soft tissue biopsies. Other uses for sutures are to approximate oro-facial skin lacerations and to ligate blood vessels. There are numerous suturing techniques, but the common techniques that the general dental practitioner should be familiar with are:
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