What does a field block refer to?

A field block refers to an injection that targets a larger terminal nerve branch to block sensation in a specific area. This technique involves injecting anesthetic near the nerve that supplies the region, thereby preventing sensory transmission from that location. It differs from local infiltration, which absorbs directly into the tissue to numb a smaller area, and from a nerve trunk injection, which would be aimed directly at the nerve itself. The purpose of a field block is to create a broader area of anesthesia by strategically placing the anesthetic close to the nerve branches, making it particularly effective during dental procedures in specific regions of the mouth.