Comparison of the tensile strength of suture materials: An in vitro study

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on a total of 120 suture samples obtained following periodontal flap surgeries at the Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Çukurova University. All suture types were tested both before clinical use and on the 7th postoperative day to evaluate changes in mechanical strength. The sutures were divided under sterile conditions into six groups: polypropylene 3-0, polypropylene 4-0, silk 3-0, silk 4-0, PTFE 3-0, and PTFE 4-0. Mechanical tests were performed using a Testometric M500-25 kN device at a speed of 5 mm/min, and the maximum tensile strength (N) of each sample was recorded. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Bonferroni-corrected Mann–Whitney U tests (p < 0.05). Results: Mechanical testing revealed that both the type and thickness of the suture material had a significant effect on tensile strength. The highest initial tensile strength was recorded in the polypropylene 3-0 group, whereas the lowest was observed in the silk 4-0 group. After seven days of clinical use, a reduction in tensile strength was observed in all groups; this decrease was greatest in silk sutures and least in polypropylene sutures. PTFE groups exhibited intermediate levels of strength. The findings indicate that polypropylene sutures retained their mechanical integrity most effectively, while silk sutures showed the fastest loss of tensile strength (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings revealed that Polypropylene sutures had the highest tensile strength, while PTFE exhibited higher strength compared to silk. Moreover, 3-0 sutures were found to be more resistant than 4-0 sutures. Nevertheless, further in vivo studies are required to confirm these results and to evaluate their biological and clinical implications. Keywords: Suture material, tensile strength, polypropylene, silk, polytetrafluoroethylene, periodontal surgery.