Which blocks can be performed for maxillary teeth?

• A. Infraorbital, Maxillary, Palatine
• B. Inferior alveolar, Mental
• C. Infraorbital, Inferior alveolar, Mental
• D. Maxillary, Mandibular, Buccal

Answer: (A)

Anesthesia for the upper jaw relies on blocks that target the maxillary nerve and its branches, covering both the teeth and the surrounding soft tissues. The infraorbital block affects the infraorbital nerve, a branch of the maxillary nerve, and provides anesthesia to the maxillary anterior teeth (incisors through canines) plus the buccal soft tissue in that region. The maxillary nerve block goes deeper and can anesthetize all the maxillary teeth in the affected quadrant, including molars and premolars, along with the associated buccal mucosa. The palatine block administers anesthesia to the hard palate and the palatal gingiva adjacent to the maxillary teeth, which is essential for procedures involving palatal tissues.

Combining these three blocks—infraorbital, maxillary, and palatine—ensures comprehensive coverage of the maxillary teeth and their supporting tissues. Blocks aimed at the mandible (inferior alveolar, mental) or focused on the mandibular arch or a buccal area alone would not provide reliable anesthesia for maxillary teeth, so they’re not appropriate for this purpose.