How to Anesthetize the Human Cheek

Local anesthesia is used by surgeons and doctors to numb a specific area of the body. The exact position for the administration of local anesthesia is determined by the nerve bundles surrounding the site of surgery. Cheeks and upper premolars receive sensations through the buccal nerve. The pain receptors present in the cheek are connected to the brain with the help of the buccal nerve. Pain can be reduced by the administration of an anesthetic. To anesthetize the human cheek, follow several steps of the Gow-Gates method.

Things You'll Need

• Lidocaine
• 25-gauge dental syringe with needle
• Cheek retractor

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Instructions

• 1

  Load a syringe with a lidocaine solution. Expel a few drops from the cartridge to check the flow of the anesthesia solution.

• 2

  Ask the patient to open his mouth widely to relax his buccal nerves. Communicate with your patient about your next step.

• 3

  Slide a cheek retractor between the cheek and the back teeth. Ensure that you are able to view your injection site (distal to the maxillary second molar) clearly.

• 4

  Slowly insert the needle of a 25-gauge dental syringe distal to the maxillary second molar. If the third molar is present, penetrate the needle just distal to it.

• 5

  Penetrate the needle 25 mm deep distal to the second molar. Make sure that the needle is in contact with the bone. Reinsert the needle if you do not reach the bone. Withdraw about 1 mm of the needle and slowly deposit half a cartridge of anesthetic.

• 6

  Withdraw the syringe and ask the patient to keep his mouth open for a few minutes, which will help in proper diffusion of the anesthetic.

• 7

  Load the other half of the cartridge on the opposite side of the same tooth.