A patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) requires extraction of a mandibular molar. Which nerve block anesthetic technique should be used?

Correct answer: B. Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB)

• A. INCORRECT. The mental nerve block anesthetizes the lower lip, chin, and labial gingiva of premolars and anterior teeth. It does not provide pulpal anesthesia for mandibular molars.
• B. CORRECT. The inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is the standard technique for mandibular molar extractions. It anesthetizes the inferior alveolar nerve (providing pulpal anesthesia to the mandibular teeth, buccal mucosa, and lower lip on that side). For extraction of a mandibular molar, IANB is the primary block required, supplemented with a long buccal nerve block for complete soft tissue anesthesia.
• C. INCORRECT. The buccal (long buccal) nerve block anesthetizes only the buccal soft tissues of mandibular molars. It provides NO pulpal anesthesia and must be combined with an IANB for molar extraction.
• D. INCORRECT. The Gow-Gates technique is an alternative to IANB that anesthetizes a broader area, but it is an advanced technique not typically the first-line choice and is not specifically associated with DMD management. Standard IANB is the expected answer.