A review of dental suturing for optimal soft-tissue management.

Establishing nontension primary wound closure of various soft-tissue flaps is paramount for optimal postsurgical wound healing. Surgical procedures that require clinical flap manipulation such as those used with traditional periodontal therapy, periodontal plastic cosmetic surgery, hard- and soft-tissue regeneration, and the excision of pathologic tissue also require excellence in execution and thorough understanding of the various techniques of surgery, suturing, and the materials currently available to ensure the desired clinical results. This article will discuss the rationale of specific suturing techniques and suture materials to aid the clinician in obtaining optimal wound closure.