If a needle breaks during an inferior alveolar nerve block and the fragment is not visible/retrievable, the appropriate next step is to:

Correct answer: D. Refer to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon

• A. Incorrect – blind probing pushes the fragment deeper and risks injury.
• B. Incorrect. While imaging helps localize a fragment, the appropriate management is to stop, inform the patient, and refer to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon — not to proceed with the original procedure.
• C. Incorrect – a retained needle requires localization and surgical evaluation.
• D. Correct – do not probe blindly; document, keep the patient calm, and refer to OMFS (imaging is used to localize the fragment for retrieval).