Suture Materials — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Braided silk
D. Braided silk is traditionally the most commonly used non-resorbable intraoral suture, commonly in 3-0 or 4-0 gauges. It handles readily and provides reliable knot security, but it must subsequently be removed—usually after five to seven days once the wound is stable. Nylon is also non-resorbable but is monofilament and less commonly used for routine intraoral closure. Polydioxanone and catgut are absorbable, while stainless steel wire is reserved for specialised indications rather than routine mucosal closure. Importantly, “most commonly used” does not mean biologically optimal: braided silk retains more plaque and bacteria than many synthetic monofilament materials, and contemporary UK procedure-specific guidance may favour polypropylene or absorbable polyglactin.
Reference: Uysal AE et al. Clinical and microbiological comparison of knotless/barbed and silk sutures for impacted third-molar surgery. Minerva Dental and Oral Science. 2023;72(4):161-167. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36951010/