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Review
. 2014 Jan-Apr;8(1):3-8.
doi: 10.4103/0259-1162.128891.

A basic review on the inferior alveolar nerve block techniques

Hesham Khalil  1
Affiliations
Review

A basic review on the inferior alveolar nerve block techniques

Hesham Khalil. Anesth Essays Res. 2014 Jan-Apr.

Abstract

The inferior alveolar nerve block is the most common injection technique used in dentistry and many modifications of the conventional nerve block have been recently described in the literature. Selecting the best technique by the dentist or surgeon depends on many factors including the success rate and complications related to the selected technique. Dentists should be aware of the available current modifications of the inferior alveolar nerve block techniques in order to effectively choose between these modifications. Some operators may encounter difficulty in identifying the anatomical landmarks which are useful in applying the inferior alveolar nerve block and rely instead on assumptions as to where the needle should be positioned. Such assumptions can lead to failure and the failure rate of inferior alveolar nerve block has been reported to be 20-25% which is considered very high. In this basic review, the anatomical details of the inferior alveolar nerve will be given together with a description of its both conventional and modified blocking techniques; in addition, an overview of the complications which may result from the application of this important technique will be mentioned.

Keywords: Complications; inferior alveolar nerve block; techniques.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Branches of the mandibular nerve. *Motor branches. ABD = Anterior belly of digastrics
Figure 2
Figure 2
Common location of the mandibular foramen in adults
Figure 3
Figure 3
Anatomical landmarks of the mandibular ramus
Figure 4
Figure 4
Main landmarks and needle insertion site for the inferior alveolar nerve block
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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