---
title: "What Is Nerve block? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A nerve block is an injection of local anesthetic near a main nerve. It numbs a wider area, such as several lower teeth and part of the lip, than a single-tooth..."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/nerve-block
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Sedation and Anesthesia

# Nerve block

A nerve block is an injection of local anesthetic near a main nerve. It numbs a wider area, such as several lower teeth and part of the lip, than a single-tooth injection.

In a dental nerve block, the dentist places local anesthetic near a larger nerve instead of around one tooth. The inferior alveolar nerve block is the most popular technique used to block pain from the lower back teeth. It can also [numb](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/numbing-dental-numbness) the lip and part of the tongue on that side.

The medicine often contains [epinephrine](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/epinephrine-in-dental-anesthetic) and may be an anesthetic such as [articaine](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/articaine). Numbness can last for hours, so take care not to bite your lip or cheek until normal feeling returns.

A nerve block is a common part of a [tooth extraction](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/tooth-extraction) or other work on lower molars. Your dentist will talk with you about what to expect.

[Town Center Dental can helpTooth Extraction](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/tooth-extraction)

## Related terms

-   [Local anesthetic](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/local-anesthetic)
-   [Numbing (dental numbness)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/numbing-dental-numbness)
-   [Inferior alveolar nerve](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/inferior-alveolar-nerve)
-   [Articaine](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/articaine)

## Sources

1.  [NIH PMC: Articaine (4%) with epinephrine (1:100000 or 1:200000) for inferior alveolar nerve block](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5564155/)
2.  [ADA MouthHealthy: Anesthesia and Sedation](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/anesthesia-and-sedation)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)