Comparative Healing of Extraction Sockets Managed with Chromic Gut Sutures and Gelatin Sponge Packing Versus Natural Healing: A PRISMA‑Aligned Systematic Review

Abstract

Post‑extraction socket management is a routine yet clinically significant aspect of dental practice. While many extraction sites are allowed to heal by secondary intention, absorbable gelatin sponges such as Gelfoam or Surgifoam combined with chromic gut sutures are frequently used to enhance clot stability and soft‑tissue approximation. This PRISMA‑aligned systematic review synthesizes existing literature comparing healing outcomes of extraction sockets managed with chromic gut sutures and gelatin sponge packing versus natural, unsutured healing. Searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library identified randomized controlled trials, split‑mouth studies, and systematic reviews evaluating time for hemostasis, postoperative pain, early soft‑tissue healing, and complication rates. Across studies, adjunctive socket management demonstrated improved early hemostasis, reduced postoperative pain, and enhanced initial mucosal healing, while long‑term outcomes were generally comparable in healthy patients. Natural healing remains predictable for uncomplicated extractions; however, selective use of chromic gut sutures with gelatin sponge packing may provide meaningful early postoperative benefits.