What injections are needed to anesthetize the entire palate on one side?

• A. Nasopalatine
• B. Greater Palatine and Nasopalatine
• C. Infraorbital
• D. Inferior Alveolar

Answer: (B)

To numb the entire palate on one side, you must block both the nasopalatine nerve and the greater palatine nerve. The hard palate’s sensation is split: the nasopalatine nerve supplies the anterior palatal mucosa from the midline to the canine region, while the greater palatine nerve supplies the posterior palatal mucosa extending toward the midline. Blocking only one leaves part of the palate unanesthetized. A nasopalatine block targets the anterior palate near the incisive papilla, and a greater palatine block targets the posterior palate at the greater palatine foramen. Together they provide complete palatal anesthesia on that side. The infraorbital and inferior alveolar blocks aren’t appropriate for palatal anesthesia in this context.