Breaking Force of Periodontal Suture Materials After Intraoral Exposure

This prospective, six-arm randomized clinical retrieval study was designed to compare the maximum breaking force of three commonly used non-absorbable periodontal suture materials-silk, polypropylene, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-in USP sizes 3-0 and 4-0 before clinical use and after 7 days of intraoral exposure following periodontal flap surgery. The study included 120 participants with Stage III Grade B periodontitis requiring periodontal flap surgery. Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1:1:1:1:1 ratio to one of six suture material-diameter groups: silk 3-0, silk 4-0, polypropylene 3-0, polypropylene 4-0, PTFE 3-0, or PTFE 4-0. Sutures were retrieved on postoperative day 7 and subjected to laboratory mechanical testing. Maximum breaking force was measured using a universal testing machine and compared with independent unused Day-0 specimens of the corresponding material and diameter. The study aimed to determine the effects of suture material, USP diameter, and exposure condition on maximum breaking force.

Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥18 years Diagnosis of Stage III Grade B periodontitis Completion of non-surgical periodontal therapy Indication for periodontal flap surgery in the maxillary or mandibular posterior region with probing pocket depth ≥5 mm Presence of three adjacent teeth with two- and/or three-wall intrabony defects Bleeding score ≤20% Exclusion Criteria: Systemic diseases affecting healing Pregnancy or lactation Antibiotic use within the preceding period Use of medications affecting periodontal healing Smoking according to the prespecified study threshold Previous surgery at the study site Inability to attend the postoperative day-7 visit