For anaesthesia near the palatal aspect in an upper incisor region with palatal placement, which nerves are indicated to be anaesthetised?

• A. Infraorbital and greater palatine nerves
• B. Inferior alveolar and lingual nerves
• C. Anterior superior alveolar and middle superior alveolar nerves
• D. Anterior superior and nasopalatine nerves

Answer: (D)

When anaesthetising the palatal aspect of the upper incisor region, you target nerves that supply the front part of the palate and the front teeth themselves. The nasopalatine nerve runs through the incisive canal and provides sensation to the anterior palatal mucosa from canine to canine, so a palatal injection around the incisive papilla effectively blocks this nerve and numbs the anterior hard palate in that area. The anterior superior alveolar nerve is a branch of the infraorbital nerve and supplies the maxillary incisors (and canines) along with their labial gingiva; blocking this nerve helps achieve pulpal and gingival anesthesia for the front teeth. Together, these two nerves cover both the palatal tissue and the dental structures in the upper incisor region when a palatal approach is used. The other nerve groups either serve areas outside this region or involve the mandible, so they are not the best match for this specific palatal incisor scenario.