{"id":149,"date":"2026-01-03T15:18:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T15:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eliteoralsurgeryassociates.com\/blog\/?p=149"},"modified":"2026-08-18T15:23:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T15:23:28","slug":"will-wisdom-teeth-stitches-dissolve-on-their-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eliteoralsurgeryassociates.com\/blog\/2026\/01\/03\/will-wisdom-teeth-stitches-dissolve-on-their-own\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Wisdom Teeth Stitches Dissolve on Their Own?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you or your teen is getting ready for wisdom tooth surgery<\/a>, or you\u2019ve just had it done, you might be wondering what your recovery is going to look like\u2014and more specifically, what you\u2019ll need to do about the stitches your dentist will leave inside your mouth to close up the extraction site. Will they dissolve naturally, or will you need to come back and have them removed? The answer depends, but in either case, there isn\u2019t much you need to worry about managing; here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Are Stitches Needed After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a wisdom tooth is impacted or only partially erupted, your dentist or oral surgeon often needs to make a small incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth. Once the tooth has been removed, stitches (also sometimes referred to as sutures) are used to close the incision. This helps the gum tissue heal properly, minimizes bleeding, protects the extraction site from food particles and bacteria, and reduces your risk of developing complications like dry socket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, not every wisdom tooth extraction requires stitches, and it largely depends on whether the tooth was impacted and how large the incision needed to be. You\u2019ll be informed ahead of time whether sutures are part of your treatment plan, and if they are, which type you\u2019ll receive. There are two main types of stitches used in oral surgery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n