dental disorders
How To Do an Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block
Introduction
An inferior alveolar nerve block, the most common dental nerve block, anesthetizes the ipsilateral hemi-mandible (including teeth and bone), as well as the lateral (buccal) mucosa over the lower incisors, canine, and first premolar, and, cutaneously, the ipsilateral lower lip and chin. The lingual nerve lies nearby and is usually blocked incidentally, anesthetizing the ipsilateral floor of the mouth, medial (lingual) gingiva, and anterior two thirds of the tongue. A buccal block (of the long buccal nerve) is often done as part of the inferior alveolar nerve block procedure, if anesthetization of the lateral (buccal) gingiva and mucosa of the lower molars and second premolar is needed. 