What happens if mouth stitches rip?

Immediate Signs and Symptoms

- Swelling and discomfort. Swelling can make the mouth opening much narrower than before the stitches were placed, which can be worrisome. This tends to peak 1-2 days post-op and then begins to improve.

- Bleeding. This is not uncommon and depends on the number of stitches and the type of suture material used.

- Pain. Pain can be controlled by prescribed pain medication. If pain is severe or out of proportion to what is expected at this stage, an infection or other complication should be considered.

- Visible defect and/or malocclusion. If this occurs, the patient should contact their surgeon immediately for an evaluation.

Long Term Complications

- Wound infection.

- Wound dehiscence. This occurs when the ends of the surgical incision separate.

- Scarring. This can be minimized by carefully following your surgeon's post-operative instructions.

- Tooth or jaw damage. This can occur if the stitches tear and the wound becomes infected.

When to See a Doctor

Contact your surgeon immediately if:

- Your stitches tear and the wound is bleeding heavily

- The pain is severe or does not improve with pain medication

- The wound shows signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or drainage

- You have difficulty eating or drinking