Suturing in General Dentistry: Principles, Practice & Precision

This interactive one-day course is designed for general dental practitioners who routinely carry out procedures such as extractions, periodontal surgery, biopsies, and implant placements. The course provides a comprehensive overview of suturing principles, materials, and techniques, together with a hands-on practical session. It aims to enhance clinical competence, decision-making, and confidence in managing soft tissue closure to optimise healing and patient outcomes

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the role of suturing in dental procedures and post-operative healing.
• Identify appropriate suture materials and needles for various clinical scenarios.
• Demonstrate secure and appropriate knot-tying techniques.
• Perform a range of basic suturing techniques including interrupted, mattress, continuous, and figure-of-eight sutures.
• Make evidence-based decisions on suture selection based on tissue type, location, and healing goals.
• Deliver appropriate post-suturing care and recognise signs of complications. 

1. Foundations & Rationale for Modern Suturing Techniques 

• Role of suturing in promoting primary wound healing

• Clinical objectives: flap stability, hemostasis, contamination prevention
• Common indications: extractions, periodontal surgery, trauma, biopsies and  implant procedures
• Principles of optimal tissue approximation and tension-free closure

2. Suture Materials & Needle Types

• Absorbable sutures: Chromic Gut, Vicryl, Polyglycolic Acid (PGA)
• Non-absorbable sutures: Silk, Nylon, PTFE
• Monofilament vs. multifilament: Handling properties and infection risk
• Needle types: Cutting, reverse cutting, tapered
• Needle curvature: Common forms and clinical applications

3. Knot-Tying Principles & Techniques

• Properties of a secure knot: Tension, throw number, stability
• Knot types: Square, surgeon’s knot, slip knot
• Methods: Instrument tie, hand tie, loop tie
• Practical session using synthetic skin pads and feedback

4. Essential Suturing Techniques

• Simple interrupted: Universal technique
• Continuous suture: Efficient closure with even tension
• Horizontal mattress: Edge eversion and tension distribution
• Vertical mattress: Deep tissue approximation
• Figure-of-eight: Ideal for socket closure
• Live demonstrations followed by guided practice

5. Clinical Decision-Making in Suturing

• Matching technique and materials to procedure type
• Factors influencing choice: Tissue thickness, tension, visibility, infection risk
• Handling technique adaptations for challenging scenarios

6. Hands-On Suturing Workshop

• Rotating practical stations: Knot-tying, simple interrupted, mattress sutures, figure-of-eight
• Instructor-led feedback on ergonomics, technique, tissue handling
• Emphasis on consistency, precision, and trauma minimisation

7. Post-Suturing Care and Management

• Post-operative instructions for patients
• Suture removal protocol and timing
• Recognising and managing complications: Infection, inflammation, wound dehiscence
• Documentation and patient communication tips