HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is the use of suture scissors in dental practice?

1. To cut metal

2. To extract teeth

3. To mix cement

4. To cut stitches

The correct answer is: To cut stitches

Suture scissors are specifically designed for the purpose of cutting stitches or sutures in dental and surgical practices. They typically feature a blunt tip on one side, which helps to prevent accidental puncturing of tissues while providing a precise cutting edge on the other side. This design is essential in ensuring that the stitches can be safely and effectively cut without causing additional trauma to the surrounding area. The other options do not align with the function of suture scissors. For example, cutting metal requires different tools, such as wire cutters or pliers, designed to handle the strength and density of metal. Extracting teeth involves more specialized tools like forceps or elevators. Mixing cement, on the other hand, is typically done with spatulas or mixing platforms rather than scissors. Thus, the primary and proper use of suture scissors in dental procedures is indeed to cut stitches.