Maxillary nerve block: the pterygopalitine canal approach.

Over the past few years, the dental industry has introduced a number of new local anesthetic delivery systems. Despite the advantages of many of these newer techniques, conventional needle and syringe procedures remain the cornerstone of local anesthesia for most dental practitioners. Most of these "tried and true" approaches are both popular and comfortable for the dentist since they are widely taught in undergraduate dental curriculum. There is one technique, however, that although relatively safe, effective and reliable, is not usually included in undergraduate dental programs. This technique, the maxillary nerve block via the pterygopalitine canal, provides the patient with a profound block of nerve V2 and allows the dentist the ability to perform procedures anywhere in the maxillary quadrant that has been anesthetized.