Which suture type is designed to be absorbed by the body over time?

Absorbable sutures are specifically designed to be broken down and absorbed by the body over time, making them well-suited for internal surgical procedures where long-term suturing isn’t necessary. These sutures eliminate the need for a second surgical procedure to remove them, which can be particularly beneficial in situations where removal would be difficult or risky, such as in deep tissue or delicate areas.

Absorbable sutures provide support initially, allowing healing to take place, and gradually lose their tensile strength as the tissue heals, which is a key factor in the healing process. This characteristic is crucial in many dental procedures where the focus is on minimizing patient discomfort and healing time.

Other types of sutures, such as silk, nonabsorbable, and metal sutures, are meant for different purposes and are retained in the body until they are manually removed or until they can be tolerated by the body without causing irritation. Thus, they do not fulfill the role of providing a temporary support mechanism in the healing process.