The MOST appropriate anesthesia for a lower primary molar filling in a child is:

Correct answer: B. IANB (inferior alveolar nerve block) — most predictable for mandibular primary molars

• A. Nitrous oxide alone provides anxiolysis/minimal sedation but does NOT provide pulpal anesthesia — not adequate for restorative work.
• B. Correct. The IANB (inferior alveolar nerve block) is the most predictable and effective technique for anesthetizing mandibular primary molars. It blocks the inferior alveolar nerve, lingual nerve, and often the long buccal nerve, providing complete pulpal and soft tissue anesthesia for all mandibular posterior primary teeth.
• C. Mental nerve block anesthetizes the chin, lower lip, and labial mucosa of premolar/anterior area — it does NOT provide pulpal anesthesia for primary molars.
• D. Periodontal infiltration may supplement but alone is insufficient for primary molar pulpal anesthesia in most cases.