Which nerve block is associated with numbness of the lower lip?

Which nerve block is associated with numbness of the lower lip?

• A. Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block
• B. Gow-Gates Block
• C. Posterior Superior Alveolar Block
• D. Infraorbital Block

Answer: (A)

Lower lip sensation comes from the mental nerve, a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve. When the inferior alveolar nerve is blocked before it splits, the anesthetic reaches the mental nerve as well, causing numbness of the lower lip (and chin) along with the lower teeth on that side. The other blocks target different areas: the infraorbital block affects the upper lip and facial area above the lip; the posterior superior alveolar block targets maxillary teeth; the Gow-Gates block is a broad mandibular nerve block but the classic source of lower lip numbness is the inferior alveolar block via its mental branch.

Lower lip sensation comes from the mental nerve, a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve. When the inferior alveolar nerve is blocked before it splits, the anesthetic reaches the mental nerve as well, causing numbness of the lower lip (and chin) along with the lower teeth on that side. The other blocks target different areas: the infraorbital block affects the upper lip and facial area above the lip; the posterior superior alveolar block targets maxillary teeth; the Gow-Gates block is a broad mandibular nerve block but the classic source of lower lip numbness is the inferior alveolar block via its mental branch.