Question

The right IA block was not successful in anesthetizing the central and lateral incisors on same side. What could have caused this failure?

a. failure to provide a separate incisive nerve block
b. cross-innervation of nerves
c. administration of local anesthetic at the improper height
d. use of plain local anesthetic

Answer 1

Possible causes for the failure to anesthetize the central and lateral incisors include failure to provide a separate incisive nerve block, cross-innervation of nerves, administration of local anesthetic at the improper height, and use of plain local anesthetic.

Step-by-step explanation:

The failure to anesthetize the central and lateral incisors on the same side could be caused by various factors:

1. Failure to provide a separate incisive nerve block: The incisive nerve is responsible for supplying sensation to the incisors. If this nerve is not specifically targeted with a nerve block, the teeth may not be adequately anesthetized.
2. Cross-innervation of nerves: Sometimes, nerves can overlap or cross over, leading to an ineffective blockade of the intended area. In this case, neighboring nerves may have been anesthetized instead of the targeted ones.
3. Administration of local anesthetic at the improper height: The injection of local anesthetic should be done at the correct height to ensure that it reaches the target nerves. An incorrect injection site might result in inadequate anesthesia.
4. Use of plain local anesthetic: Plain local anesthetic lacks the addition of a vasoconstrictor, which can enhance its effectiveness and duration. Using a local anesthetic with a vasoconstrictor is often preferred.