Kathryn Bell, RDH, EPDH, MS, is an associate professor in the Pacific University School of Dental Hygiene Studies. She also serves as associate dean for interprofessional education. Bell serves on the editorial review boards for the Journal of Dental Hygiene and Health and Interprofessional Practice. She is an active member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the American Dental Education Association.
The use of the infraorbital, anterior middle superior alveolar, and maxillary nerve blocks provide safety and efficiency benefits during the administration of local anesthesia.
When administering anesthesia to patients with anatomical variations, the Gow-Gates and Vazirani-Akinosi mandibular blocks may provide the best opportunity for successful pain control.