What is the typical suture size range used for closing extraction wounds?

• A. 3-0 to 5-0
• B. 2-0 to 4-0
• C. 4-0 to 6-0
• D. 5-0 to 7-0

Answer: (A)

Closing extraction wounds calls for a suture size that can securely approximate the delicate oral mucosa without adding extra trauma. The range of 3-0 to 5-0 provides the best balance: 3-0 gives enough tensile strength to hold tissue together in the moist, dynamic environment of the mouth, while 5-0 is fine enough to minimize tissue reaction and improve comfort and esthetics. Using a thicker size would be unnecessarily traumatic and bulky for a small mucosal defect, while a much finer size could be too fragile and prone to breakage in the oral setting.