Bovis ISSN 2398-2993

Mental nerve block

Introduction

• Perineural anesthesia of the mental nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve.

Uses

• Facilitates examination of traumatic lesions of the lower lip and rostral mandible.
• Minor surgery of the lower lip and rostral mandible.
• Drug application into the mental canal enables cerclage-wire repair of a mandibular symphysis fracture and incisor tooth extraction. 
• As an adjunct in a patient under general anesthesia as part of multi-modal anesthesia and analgesia.

Advantages

• Inexpensive and minimal equipment needs.
• Minimal side effects.
• Allows standing surgery.
• Minimal patient recovery time.

Disadvantages

• Depending on accuracy of block placement, the area of desensitization can be variable.
• Knowledge of the anatomical landmarks is required.
• Good head restraint is required.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Aftercare