If a maxillary #15 has a periodontal abscess and the PSA has already been given, which other injection would numb the lingual area?

• A. Greater Palatine
• B. Nasopalatine
• C. Infraorbital
• D. Buccal

Answer: (A)

Numb lingual/palatal tissue in the posterior maxilla is achieved with a greater palatine nerve block. This nerve supplies the posterior palatal mucosa and gingiva from the second premolar back to the molars, so depositing anesthetic near the greater palatine foramen on the palatal side will numb the lingual area around #15 even after a PSA block. The nasopalatine block would affect the anterior palatal tissue, which isn’t the area of concern here. An infraorbital block mainly covers the facial and anterior maxillary teeth, and a buccal injection targets the buccal mucosa, not the palatal/lingual tissues.