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Saint Pauls, NC
A 19-year-old female asked:

Is it possible for a wisdom teeth extraction site to close up while the stitches are still in there?

5 doctor answers13 doctors weighed in
Dr. Theodore Davantzis
Dentistry 42 years experience
Yes: But the sutures are probably not in the socket, but rather outside the socket holding the gingiva together. Some sutures are resorbable, so even if covered by healing gum tissue, they will dissolve.
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Dr. Kirk Yen
A Verified Doctoranswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 40 years experience
Depends on time: If the sutures are monofilament it is possible that the sutures can be 'buried' in the tissue. Usually it is time dependent. If there is no inflammation/infection around the sutures than over time it can submerge and be inside the tissue. That is why it is important to keep the postoperative appointment so the sutures can be removed if indicated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Daniel Quon
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 44 years experience
Yes: With primary closure, the extraction site will often be closed immediately. Many surgeons use resorbable sutures that do not have to be removed, and will resorb over time.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Paul Grin
Pain Management 38 years experience
Of course: The non-dissolvable stitches must be manually removed by the surgeon after 7 days.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Justin Nelson
Pediatric Dentistry 18 years experience
Yes: yes, the stitches are there just to help attachment and to help close the area tighter as the initial healing is starting.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated Mar 2, 2016

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