What is another name for the inferior alveolar nerve block?

The inferior alveolar nerve block is also known as the mandibular nerve block because it specifically targets the inferior alveolar nerve, which is a branch of the mandibular nerve. This nerve block is commonly used in dental procedures to achieve anesthesia in the lower jaw, particularly for the molar teeth and surrounding tissues. When this block is administered, it numbs not only the inferior alveolar nerve but also the mental and incisive nerves, providing effective pain control for surgeries or extractions in the mandibular region.

The other options represent different anatomical areas and nerve blocks. The maxillary nerve block pertains to the upper jaw, specifically involving the maxillary nerve, while the incisive nerve block targets the incisive nerve, a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve but does not encompass the entire region as comprehensively as the mandibular nerve block does. The posterior superior alveolar nerve block is used for the upper molars and is associated with the maxillary nerve. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why the mandibular nerve block is synonymous with the inferior alveolar nerve block.