Evaluation of Tensile Strength of Sutures Used in Dentistry
Sağlık bilimlerinde değer (Online). 2023;13(2):189-193.
ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of sutures used in dentistry according to different materials in vitro.
Material and Methods: Eight different absorbable and non-absorbable suture materials with 3-0 gauge (Polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyglactin 910, polyglycolic acid, poliglecaprone 25, polydioxanone, and silk) were compared in terms of mechanical strength. All sutures were tied with a simple suture technique. Each material contained 10 samples per group, with a total sample size of 80 specimens. Failure load was measured in N while elongation was measured in µm using a microtensile testing device. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the difference in failure loads and elongation values.
Results: Polydioxanone was significantly more resistant to tensile forces among all tested materials (p<0.001) which was followed by poliglecaprone 25, whereas polyglactin 910 presented the lowest failure load values. Although there was no direct relationship between tensile strength and elongation values of the materials, polydioxanone demonstrated increased elongation before failure. Additionally, polyglactin 910 indicated a significantly lower elongation capacity among all tested materials.
Conclusion: Failure load and elongation were dependent on the suture material type. Where high tensile strength is required, polydioxanone is an advantageous material due to its high resistance to loads and better elongation characteristics.
KEYWORDS
Tensile strength · sutures · mechanical tests
STUDY SUMMARY
This in vitro study compared the failure load and elongation of eight absorbable and non-absorbable suture materials of 3-0 gauge, testing 80 specimens tied with a simple suture technique on a microtensile device. Polydioxanone withstood the highest tensile force, followed by poliglecaprone 25, while polyglactin 910 gave the lowest failure load and the lowest elongation capacity. Failure load and elongation depended on the suture material, and tensile strength and elongation were not directly related across the materials tested.