National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

Which type of anesthesia is often used for mandibular teeth by being injected near a major nerve?

1. Infiltration anesthesia

2. Block anesthesia

3. Topical anesthesia

4. Local anesthesia

The correct answer is: Block anesthesia

Block anesthesia is particularly effective for mandibular teeth because it involves injecting anesthetic solution close to a major nerve, such as the inferior alveolar nerve. This technique enables the dentist to achieve a wider area of numbness, effectively anesthetizing not just one tooth but potentially an entire quadrant. This is crucial when performing procedures that involve multiple teeth or significant soft tissue work in one area. In contrast, infiltration anesthesia involves injecting the anesthetic solution directly into the tissue near the tooth, which is more suitable for maxillary teeth where the bone is less dense. Topical anesthesia is used to numb the surface of the mucosa and doesn't penetrate deeply enough to affect the underlying nerves significantly, making it less effective for the type of procedures often performed on mandibular teeth. Local anesthesia is a broader term that encompasses various techniques, including infiltration and block modalities, but in this specific context, block anesthesia is the most appropriate choice for effectively managing pain associated with mandibular tooth procedures.