The inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is indicated when deep operative or surgical procedures are undertaken for mandibular primary and permanent teeth. While a supraperiosteal injection (infiltration) may provide adequate anesthesia for the primary incisors and molars it is not as effective for providing complete anesthesia for the mandibular permanent molars.
A major consideration for IANB in the pediatric patient is that the mandibular foramen is situated at a lower level (below the occlusal plane) than in an adult. Thus the injection is made slightly lower and more posteriorly than in an adult.
The areas anesthetized are the:
The indications for the IANB are:
Contraindications are:
Technique:
The signs and symptoms of an inferior alveolar block are: