Question

"Patient: 22-year-old male is accompanied by their caregiver and presents to the dental office for a routine dental recall.

Chief complaint: The caregiver reports that the patient has a large cavity but has not observed any discomfort or symptoms by the patient.
Background/or patient history: Patient is an individual with profound intellectual disability and uses a wheelchair. Patient is non-verbal and requires assistance for transportation and everyday self-care activities including oral home care. Patient lives at home with parents and has a part-time home health aide.
Current Findings: A large cavitated carious lesion is noted on the upper left maxillary teeth (the occlusal surface of tooth #14). Patient is negative to percussion and palpation.
Clinical review of radiographs taken that day reveal radiographic evidence of extensive caries into the pulp and below the gumline. It is determined that the tooth is non-restorable and requires extraction. Radiographs also reveal a long mesial root.

Which nerves will you need to anesthetize
a. Greater palatine nerve
b. Nasopalatine nerve
c. Inferior alveolar nerve
d. Posterior superior alveolar nerve
e. Anterior superior alveolar nerve"

Answer 1

To anesthetize the patient for the extraction of the non-restorable tooth, you would need to anesthetize the inferior alveolar nerve, posterior superior alveolar nerve, and anterior superior alveolar nerve.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this case, to anesthetize the patient for the extraction of the non-restorable tooth, you would need to anesthetize the following nerves:

• Inferior alveolar nerve: This nerve supplies the mandibular teeth and their surrounding tissues, making it necessary to numb the lower teeth prior to dental work.
• Posterior superior alveolar nerve: This nerve supplies the maxillary molars, including the upper left maxillary tooth with the large cavity.
• Anterior superior alveolar nerve: This nerve supplies the maxillary incisors and canines. Although not explicitly mentioned in the case, it may be necessary to anesthetize this nerve as well if any of the adjacent teeth require treatment.