What nerve block is needed to anesthetize the tongue and lip?

The inferior alveolar nerve block is essential for anesthetizing the tongue and lip due to its targeted effect on the inferior alveolar nerve, which branches from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. This nerve provides sensory innervation to the lower jaw, including the teeth, the body of the mandible, and the associated soft tissues.

When the inferior alveolar nerve is blocked during a dental procedure, it produces numbness in the lower lip and the anterior two-thirds of the tongue on the side of the injection. This is crucial for procedures that involve the lower teeth or gingiva, where effective pain control is needed, and allows the dentist to perform the necessary work without patient discomfort.

In contrast, other options may target different areas and may not provide the necessary coverage for both the tongue and lip. For instance, the long buccal nerve block primarily affects the buccal soft tissues and does not anesthetize the tongue. The incisive nerve block specifically targets the incisive and mental nerves, primarily affecting the anterior teeth and soft tissue but not deeply enough for the tongue. The greater palatine nerve block numbs the posterior hard palate but does not provide anesthesia to the tongue or lip. Thus, the inferior alveolar