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Oral Surgery · single question

The most common nerve injured during a needle breakage in dental anesthetic injection is:

  1. Lingual nerve
  2. Inferior alveolar nerve (IANB = 70% of needle breaks)
  3. Mental nerve
  4. Mylohyoid nerve
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Inferior alveolar nerve (IANB = 70% of needle breaks)

  • A. Lingual nerve injury occurs from IANB complications (paraesthesia) but needle breakage is most associated with IANB and IAn.
  • B. Correct. Needle breakage is rare (estimated 0.000007%) but when it occurs, approximately 70% happen during inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) injections in the pterygomandibular space. The IANB technique requires full needle penetration to depth, and bending/deflection occurs more in this technique. The inferior alveolar nerve is therefore most commonly involved.
  • C. Mental nerve blocks are superficial and needle breakage is extremely rare.
  • D. Mylohyoid nerve blocks are not commonly performed to the point of needle breakage.

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