Which Suture to Use?
The following parameters can help you in deciding which suture to use
Suture Size (Diameter)
| USP 3-0 | USP 4-0 | USP 5-0 | USP 6-0 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonabsorbable Sutures (Bensilk, Benlon, Benlene) | 0.225 mm +/- 10% | 0.175 mm +/- 10% | 0.125 mm +/- 10% | 0.085 mm +/- 10% |
| Absorbable Sutures (Bencryl-910, Bencryl-910 Fast, Bencryl-Mono) | 0.270 mm +/- 10% | 0.200 mm +/- 10% | 0.170 mm +/- 10% | 0.095 mm +/- 10% |
Tensile Strength Comparison
Knot Pull Tensile strength comparison of USP 3-0 size sutures of various types, with respect to time elapsed from implantation.
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Bencryl-910 Fast absorbable suture is the most ideal dental suture which has a high initial tensile strength for about 7-10 days. By 15th day, the tensile strength reduces to zero. The absorption period for Bencryl-910 is the shortest among all absorbable sutures requiring about 40-45 days for complete absorption.
Absorbable Sutures Comparison
| BENCRYL-910 | BENCRYL-910 FAST | BENCRYL-MONO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suture Material | Polyglactin-910 | Polyglactin-910 (Treated) | Poliglecaprone-25 |
| Type | Absorbable | Absorbable | Absorbable |
| Construction | Braided | Braided | Monofilament |
| Suture Color | Violet | Undyed (White) | Undyed (Beige) |
| Tensile Strength Retention | 30-35 days | 10-14 days | 20-25 days |
| Residual Tensile strength | After 14 days : 70% 25 days : 25-30% 60 days : 0-10% | After 5 days : 55-60% 10 days : 10-20% 15 days : 0-5% | After 7 days : 55-60% 14 days : 20-25% 25 days : 0-5% |
| Total absorption in (days) | 60-90 days | 40-45 days | 90-120 days |
| Sizes available in (for Dental) | USP 3-0, 4-0, 5-0 & 6-0 | USP 3-0 | USP 3-0 |
| Expiry Date | 5 years | 3 years | 3 years |
Non-absorbable Sutures Comparison
| BENSILK | BENLENE | BENLON | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suture Material | Silk (organic silk fibroin) | Polypropylene (Synthetic Polymer) | Polyamide / Nylon (Synthetic Polymer) |
| Type | Non-absorbable | Non-absorbable | Non-absorbable |
| Construction | Braided | Monofilament | Monofilament |
| Coating | Coated | Uncoated | Uncoated |
| Suture Color | Black | Blue | Black |
| Sizes available in (for Dental) | USP 3-0, 4-0, 5-0 & 6-0 | USP 5-0, 6-0 | USP 3-0 |
| Tensile Strength Retention | retains up to 50-60% up to 14 days. Gradually reduces till 100-150 days | Infinite. Not subject to degradation. | Can be considered as infinite for dental procedures. However, slow progressive degradation of fiber results in gradual loss of tensile strength over long periods of time. |
| Tensile strength in wet condition | reduces significantly | no change | no change |
| Tissue drag | Mild. Coating on the suture reduces the tissue drag significantly. | Easy passage through tissue with minimum drag. | Easy passage through tissue with minimum drag. |
| Knot stability | Stable (surgeons knot) | Less Stable than silk (surgeons knot is preferred) | Less Stable than silk (surgeons knot is preferred) |
| Handling | Easy to handle | Difficult to handle due to suture memory | Difficult to handle in comparison to silk but better than polypropylene. |
| Patient comfort level | Comfortable. | Comfortable for smaller sizes. The cut ends of the suture may irritate the patient. | The stiff cut ends of the suture may irritate the patient. |
| Elongation | negligible | 0-10% | 0-5% |
| Tissue reaction | Mild irritant. Patient may be allergic to silk. | Nil | Nil |
| Shelf Life | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
Needle Shapes, Size & Type
Needle Shapes
Needle Cross Sections
Needle Size Comparison
