When undergoing oral surgery, extractions, or implant procedures, one of the most common post-operative questions is: How long will my stitches take to dissolve? The answer depends on the type of suture material used.

Usually, absorbable sutures like Chromic Gut, PGA (Polyglycolic Acid), and Vicryl dissolve at different rates, ranging from 7 days to 90 days, depending on factors like suture composition, surgical site, and patient’s health conditions.

What are absorbable sutures? 

Absorbable sutures are designed to break down naturally in the body over time, eliminating the need for removal. These sutures can be:

Natural (Gut Sutures) – Derived from the serosal surface of sheep intestines, commonly used by oral surgeons and periodontists.

Synthetic (e.g., Vicryl, PDS, Monocryl) – Made from long polymer chains compounded or braided into suture material for enhanced handling and predictability.

The absorption process differs depending on the material.

Absorption Time of Different Suture Types

1. Chromic Gut Brown Sutures (7-21 Days)

Chromic gut sutures are natural, absorbable sutures made when the plain gut suture further undergoes a ribbon stage chromicisation (treatment with chromic acid salts).This treatment allows chromic gut to hold stitches for twice as long as plain gut but also leads to greater tissue inflammation. Absorbed through enzymatic degradation, they retain strength for 10-14 days and typically dissolve within 21 days. Chromic gut sutures are commonly used in wisdom tooth extractions, periodontal surgery, and implant procedures, where short-term tissue support is needed before natural absorption.

For predictable healing, Vitality™ Chromic Gut Sutures provide strong wound support before dissolving naturally.

2. PGA (Polyglycolic Acid) Violet Sutures (14-30 Days)

PGA sutures are synthetic, absorbable sutures made from polyglycolic acid (PGA), a braided polymer designed for predictable absorption. Unlike gut sutures, PGA sutures degrade through hydrolysis, ensuring a more consistent breakdown with minimal tissue inflammation. They retain 50% of their tensile strength for 14-18 days and typically dissolve within 30 days, making them ideal for procedures requiring moderate-term wound support. PGA sutures are commonly used in soft tissue closures, periodontal surgery, and grafting procedures, where controlled absorption and reliable strength retention are essential.

For consistent healing, Vitality™ PGA Sutures  offer excellent handling and secure knotting before fully dissolving.

3. Vicryl Sutures (60-90 Days)

Vicryl sutures are braided, multifilament synthetic sutures coated with calcium stearate and polyglactic acid to improve handling characteristics. They degrade through hydrolysis, ensuring predictable and reliable absorption. Standard Vicryl retains 65% of its tensile strength at 2 weeks and 40% at 3 weeks, with full absorption occurring between 60-90 days. Vicryl Rapide, a faster-absorbing variant, retains 50% of its strength at 5 days and fully dissolves by 14 days, making it ideal for short-term wound support. Vicryl sutures provide secure wound closure with minimal tissue reaction.

Choosing the Right Suture for Oral Surgery

·        For short-term support (7-21 days) → Chromic Gut Sutures

·        For moderate retention (14-30 days) → PGA Sutures

·        For longer-lasting absorption (60-90 days) → Vicryl Sutures

By understanding how long sutures take to dissolve, patients and clinicians can make informed choices for optimal healing and surgical outcomes.

Would you like more details on which suture is best for your procedure? Visit our product page for Vitality™ Sutures.