Suture Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Suture (Vet, Dental & Medical)
A practical, no-fluff guide from ProNorth Medical — Canada’s wound-closure specialists since 2011. Use it to choose the right suture by material, size, and needle, then jump straight to the products or use our suture selector tool.
Absorbable vs. non-absorbable sutures
Absorbable sutures are broken down and absorbed by the body over time, so they don’t need to be removed. They’re used for internal tissues, subcutaneous layers, and procedures where removal is impractical — common in veterinary surgery and oral/dental work. Absorption time depends on the material, ranging from roughly two weeks to a few months.
Non-absorbable sutures stay in place until a clinician removes them (or permanently, for some internal uses). They’re preferred for skin closure where the suture will be removed, and anywhere long-term tensile strength matters. They tend to hold knots securely and provoke minimal tissue reaction.
- Choose absorbable when: closing deep/internal tissue, working in the mouth, or you want to avoid a removal appointment.
- Choose non-absorbable when: closing skin you’ll remove sutures from, or you need durable, high-strength support.
Shop absorbable sutures or non-absorbable sutures.
Common suture materials at a glance
| Material | Type | Notes | ProNorth brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poliglecaprone 25 | Absorbable (monofilament) | Smooth pass, good early strength; soft-tissue approximation | MONOPRO™ |
| Polyglactin 910 | Absorbable (braided) | Reliable handling and knot security; general closure | VILET™ / VIPRO™ |
| Chromic / plain gut | Absorbable (natural) | Traditional option; faster absorption | Stocked (Ethicon & others) |
| Nylon | Non-absorbable (mono) | Strong, low reactivity; skin closure | NYLOPRO™ |
| Polypropylene | Non-absorbable (mono) | Inert, holds in contaminated wounds | Stocked |
| PTFE | Non-absorbable (mono) | Soft handling; oral/implant & periodontal work | Stocked |
Always select sutures cleared and labeled for your specific clinical use. This guide is general education, not clinical advice.
Veterinary vs. medical sutures
The underlying materials are largely the same; the practical differences are regulatory labeling, packaging, common sizing/needle configurations, and price. Sutures sold for human use carry human-medical clearances and are usually priced higher. Veterinary sutures are labeled for animal use and frequently more cost-effective. ProNorth’s house brands give vet clinics a high-quality, value-priced alternative comparable to the name brands clinicians already trust. For dental and human medical work we also stock Ethicon, LOOK, and Sharpoint.
Understanding suture size (USP)
Suture “size” follows the USP scale. The more zeros, the thinner the thread: a 2-0 suture is thicker than a 5-0, which is thicker than a 7-0. As a rough guide:
- 2-0 / 3-0 — heavier closures, fascia, larger-animal tissue.
- 3-0 / 4-0 — general soft-tissue and skin closure (very common).
- 5-0 / 6-0 — delicate tissue, facial/oral, fine work.
Needle types & codes
The needle is as important as the thread. Two things to match: point geometry and shape/size.
- Reverse cutting — tough skin and dense tissue.
- Taper point — delicate internal tissue that shouldn’t be cut.
- Conventional cutting — general skin closure.
Common needle codes you’ll see in product titles include FS-1, FS-2 (cutting, skin), SH (taper, soft tissue), RB-1 (taper, fine), and PC-1 (precision cosmetic). Curvature is usually given as 3/8 or 1/2 circle. Not sure which code maps to your old product? Send us the code and we’ll match it.
Clinic ordering help
Buying for a practice? You can unlock volume and clinic pricing, set up standing reorders, and get same-day dispatch on in-stock sutures. Register a clinic account, request a bulk quote, or call 1-844-537-0493. Still choosing? The suture selector matches a product by setting, tissue, and handling in three questions.