After wisdom teeth removal, you may have stitches (also called sutures) closing the surgical sites. A common question is whether those stitches will dissolve on their own or need to be removed. Understanding the type you have - and how to care for them - helps your recovery go smoothly.
Why Are Stitches Used After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Not every extraction requires stitches, but they're often used after wisdom teeth removal, especially for impacted teeth that required an incision in the gum. Stitches help:
- Hold the gum tissue in place over the surgical site
- Promote proper healing by keeping the edges of the wound together
- Reduce bleeding in the early hours after surgery
- Protect the area while a blood clot forms and tissue begins to close
Dissolvable Stitches
Dissolvable (also called resorbable) sutures are the most common type used after wisdom teeth surgery. They're made from materials your body gradually breaks down on its own, so there's no need for a removal appointment.
- How long they last - most dissolve within 7 to 14 days, though some take a few weeks
- What to expect - you may notice pieces loosening or coming out as they break down, which is normal
- Convenience - no return visit is needed simply to take them out
Removable Stitches
Some procedures call for non-dissolvable sutures, which stay intact until your surgeon removes them at a follow-up visit.
- When they're used - for certain incisions or when the surgeon wants the tissue held firmly for a set period
- Removal - quick and typically painless, done at a follow-up appointment usually about a week after surgery
- What to expect - removal takes just a few minutes and most patients feel only a slight tug
How to Know Which Type You Have
Your surgeon will tell you which type of stitches you received and whether a removal appointment is needed. If you're not sure, simply call our office - we keep a record of your procedure and can confirm.
Caring for Your Stitches While You Heal
Whether your stitches dissolve or need removal, the same gentle care helps them do their job:
- Avoid touching the stitches with your tongue, fingers, or toothbrush
- Don't rinse vigorously for the first 24 hours, then use gentle salt-water rinses as directed
- Stick to soft foods and chew away from the surgical sites
- Avoid suction from straws, smoking, or vaping, which can disturb both the stitches and the clot
- Brush carefully around the area, keeping the rest of your mouth clean
Is It Normal for a Stitch to Come Out Early?
Yes - it's common for a dissolvable stitch to loosen or fall out a bit earlier than expected, especially while eating or rinsing. This usually isn't a problem if the area has begun to heal. However, if a stitch comes out very early and you notice increased bleeding or the wound reopening, contact our office.
When to Call Us
Reach out if you experience:
- Increased bleeding after a stitch comes out
- Severe or worsening pain several days after surgery
- Signs of infection such as fever, pus, or a bad taste
- A surgical site that appears to be reopening
How Stitches Fit Into Your Overall Recovery
Stitches are just one part of healing after wisdom teeth removal. Even with perfectly placed sutures, the protective blood clot that forms in each socket does most of the work, so the same habits that protect your stitches also protect against complications like dry socket. In practice that means resting for the first day or two, keeping your head elevated, applying cold compresses to reduce swelling, and avoiding anything that creates suction in your mouth.
It also helps to plan your meals ahead of time. Soft, nutritious foods such as yogurt, smoothies eaten with a spoon, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and broth-based soups let you eat well without disturbing the surgical sites or the stitches. As the days pass and the tissue closes, you can gradually reintroduce firmer foods, chewing away from the healing areas.
When You Might Need a Follow-Up Visit
If you received non-dissolvable sutures, you'll return for a brief removal appointment, usually about a week after surgery. Even patients with dissolvable stitches sometimes benefit from a quick check if healing feels slower than expected. Our team is always available between visits, too - if something doesn't seem right, it's far better to ask than to wonder.
Patients across the Indianapolis area, from Carmel and Fishers to Greenwood, count on clear after-care guidance from a board-certified oral surgeon. If you ever have a concern about bleeding, swelling, or a stitch that came out too soon, you can reach us through our contact page or by phone. New to the practice or planning a procedure? Our new patient resources explain exactly what to expect before and after surgery.
The Bottom Line
Most wisdom teeth stitches are dissolvable and disappear on their own within one to two weeks, while removable stitches come out at a quick follow-up visit. Either way, gentle care - soft foods, careful brushing, and no suction - helps your gums heal properly.
Call (317) 876-1095 or schedule a visit online if you have questions about your stitches or recovery. Our team at Oral Surgeons of Indiana is here to help.
Learn more about wisdom teeth removal at our Indianapolis practice.