Is leaving stitches in too long harmful?

Question

I had my wisdom teeth out last week, and was supposed to have my stitches removed today, but the office was closed due to an unforseeable circumstance. So, now I have to wait until Monday to call and make another appointment. My regular dentist is closed, and my regular dr. is on vacation. Will it cause any problems for them to be in for an extra few days? Are there any precautions I should be taking?

Answer 1

Man there are some strange answers here. Stitches (unless they are dissolving ones) are usually removed after 7 days because that is usually long enough for the wound to be healed enough to support itself.
Leaving them longer is not usually a problem, except for the fact that they will start to annoy your tongue. As the wound heals and the swelling goes down the stitch should get looser anyway, so the chances of stitches getting buried with a routine extraction are small. (except if there is soft tissue swelling)
The longer they stay, though, the more chance you have of getting food caught around them, which can reduce the speed of healing.
If it is only going to be a few extra days, or even an extra week, wait until your dentist returns. There is a lot of benefit in seeing the dentist who placed the stitches, as they will know where they were placed and will be able to remove them easier. I wouldn't be going to the ER for stitch removal unless you are after more pain!

Answer 2

If you leave your stitches in too long the healing tissue will form over the stitches and then you'll have to get your gums recut to remove the stitches underneath the new skin. Of course this is only after leaving them in longterm. Leaving your stitches in an extra few days should be fine, and if you're really worried about it you can go to your local Hospital/Emergency Room to get the stitches removed from a Nurse.

Answer 3

No, you should be fine. The only issue that may arise is they may have a little trouble getting them out because when the tissue is healing if the stitches are in too long the tissue will start to grow closed and over the sutures. The dentist and the assistant will know how to get the sutures out pain free. You have nothing to worry about, you'll be fine. Good Luck.

Answer 4

if a few days was going to be a huge deal the office should have told you to go to ER and have them taken out. I know of many people who have had to wait a few days- even a week- past when the dr/dentist said to come in to have stitches out. All of them are just fine

Answer 5

You'll be fine if they're in a few extra days. Just regularly brush your teeth and use mouthwash to keep the risk of infection down in the wounds with the stitches. Basically keep your mouth clean and don't chew anything that'll tear them out.

Answer 6

i dont understand why you got stitches in the first place, youre not supposed to when your wisdom teeth are taken out. i just got mine out three weeks ago and im completely fine now, no stitches.

you should probably go see a doctor as soon as possible (they may be able to do it at the ER) because once your skin starts closing in them its going to hurt to take them out because it will be pulling skin with them.

Answer 7

Nah, no problem. Try to keep your tongue out of the way and flush often with warm salt water.

Show up at dentist office when he opens on Monday and insist that he remove them.

Answer 8

actually no they must be removed 7 days later
every extra days stitches will be covered by gum it will be difficult to be removed that time

Answer 9

yes it can be harmful because the string could get infected and if your not sure or not comfortable about pulling the string out yourself just try to put some kind of antibiotic on it to keep it from getting infected

Answer 10

yes...keep your mouth shut, it not only helps the stitch stay in place, but gives your hubby lots of peace....otherwise, if you talk too much, he might just bust your jaw, and there goes your stitch!!!!!!