If you have dissolvable wisdom teeth stitches, they’ll usually dissolve by 10-14 days and fall out all on their own. However that is only true if you have the absorbable sutures because some dentists will use the non-dissolvable sutures sometimes.
Are you sure yours can even dissolve? That is actually the main determinant for when they come out. If you don’t recall, it’s okay because we’ll still guide you through all of it!
When do wisdom teeth stitches dissolve?
The two most commonly used dissolvable stitches for wisdom teeth (third molars) are chromic gut and vicryl. Both of these two types of wisdom teeth stitches will dissolve in approximately 10-14 days.
| Type of Dissolvable Suture | Dissolution Time |
| Chromic gut | 10-14 days |
| Vicryl rapide | 10-14 days |
Therefore according to the chart above, you can expect resorbable sutures to last about two weeks in your mouth before they fall out. When they do, it’ll happen all on its own without you needing to do anything.
How to tell if your sutures can dissolve
The chromic gut and vicryl are the two most common resorbable sutures that dentists use. You can easily identify them by their distinct color.
| Suture | Color |
| Chromic gut | Yellow or Gold |
| Vicryl rapide | Violet |
The chromic gut can be described as having a yellow or gold color. It is an all natural suture that dissolves all on its own. It is actually made out of the intestinal lining of ruminant animals (cows, sheeps, goats).
The vicryl has an intense violet color that is very easily recognizable. It is synthetic but it can still be broken down by your body’s natural enzymes. Most of the dissolving stitches are made of substances that can be broken down by the body.
As a disclaimer, we listed the two most commonly used sutures by dentists. There are other ones which your doctor may use since it’s all based on personal preference. We do have an article about the colors of all dissolvable stitches, that includes the ones used for the mouth and outside of it. After all, there aren’t any that are specifically meant for the oral cavity.
Dissolving vs falling out
We’ve listed both of these wisdom teeth stitches as being able to dissolve within 2 weeks but that is inconjunction with them falling out. That 2 week time frame includes the sutures dissolving enough for them to fall out on their own.
Technically they don’t completely dissolve within those 14 days. Studies have shown that it takes close to 3 months for full dissolution. It’s just that they usually resorb enough and become weakened to the point that they fall off after the 14 days.
Can they come out sooner?
For the most part, they should dissolve or fall out within 2 weeks. However it may be different for each individual since everyone’s healing is highly individualized. Some people may notice theirs come out within a week and that is perfectly normal.
In case you were interested, people have asked if there was a way to make dissolvable stitches dissolve faster. We have a theory on how to do it but it hasn’t been proven yet!
What if they’re non-dissolvable?
The stitches for your wisdom teeth will only dissolve if they’re dissolvable. If they happen to be the non-dissolving type, you can wait an eternity and they’ll still be present in your mouth.
Usually if you were given non-resorbable sutures for your third molars, your dentist would’ve told you and given you a suture removal appointment. Since they won’t come out on their own, they will need to be physically removed by your dentist.
How to tell if they’re the non-dissolving type
Just like with the absorbable sutures, the non-absorbable ones also come in distinct colors. You can figure out which one they are by comparing the color of the stitches in your wisdom tooth hole. Simply take a picture of it and compare the color!
We’ve an entire article dedicated to the color of all non-dissolvable sutures. There are basically eight different types made of various materials.
Does the suture removal hurt?
If you did happen to get the type that requires them to be removed afterwards, the plus side is that it shouldn’t hurt. It may feel a little weird when they’re coming out but it should be a painless process. It’ll take at most 5-10 minutes.
Taking care of wisdom teeth stitches
Taking care of your sutures is a part of your wisdom teeth extraction aftercare. It would be prudent to do so because you don’t want them to get infected.
Tips for taking care of them:
- Chew on the other side. If you could do most of your chewing on the opposing side, it would help to keep the area clean. Less food would get lodged there.
- Brush gently. After the wisdom tooth extraction you still need to brush your teeth. It may be a surgical site and it is healing but there is no other way to keep it clean. Brush very gently when you get close to the stitches so that you don’t unravel them accidentally.
- Salt water rinse. On the day after you get the sutures, you can start rinsing vigorously with salt water after every meal. That prevents food from getting stuck in the wisdom tooth hole and also keeps the sutures clean.
- Leave stitches alone. Do not play with the sutures. That includes using your tongue and your finger. Constantly manipulation will delay healing and could potentially cause an infection.
Takeaway
If your dentist gave you self-dissolving sutures after your wisdom tooth removal, it will most likely fall out within 2 weeks. If you’re lucky it could be earlier than that but it depends on your body and how it heals.
With that being said, that is only true if yours are absorbable because some dentists like to use non-dissolving sutures. If that is the case then they’d never come out on their own. You would need to return for a suture removal appointment.