Insert the needle over the first premolar toward the infraorbital foramen. The needle should be held parallel with the long axis of the tooth. Advance the needle toward the upper rim of the infraorbital foramen beneath the tip of the index. The depth of the needle penetration is around 16mm. Aspirate to verify that the needle is not accidentally placed through a blood vessel. Slowly deposit 0.9-1.2 ml while the index is maintained at the injection site to control the penetration of the anesthetic solution.

NB: to insure a total (complete) anesthesia of the upper lip, it is necessary to do a controlateral infraorbital nerve block.

Mental Nerve Block

Locate the mental foramen by moving your index anteriorly until the bone beneath becomes irregular and somewhat concave. The patient will comment that finger pressure in this area produces soreness as mental nerve is compressed against bone.

Penetrate the mucous membrane at the injection site, at the canine or first premolar, directing the syringe backward and downward transversally toward the mental foramen. Advance the needle until the foramen is reached. The depth of the penetration will be 5 to 6mm. Aspirate to verify that the needle is not accidentally placed through a blood vessel. Slowly deposit 0.6ml over 20 seconds. Control the injection site with the index for any excessive swelling.