Where is a block injection usually administered?

A block injection is primarily used to achieve anesthesia in a specific area of the mouth by targeting a main nerve trunk. By administering the injection near the main nerve trunk, the dentist can effectively numb a larger region, making it particularly useful for procedures that require significant pain management, such as tooth extractions or extensive dental work. This method contrasts with other injections that may focus on smaller, localized areas, which would not provide the broad coverage needed for certain dental procedures.

When considering the other options, administering anesthesia near the incision site is more common for infiltration injections, which are used for local procedures. Injecting at the top of the oral cavity is not a standard practice for block anesthesia, which aims to numb larger areas rather than treat localized pain. Similarly, injecting into the gum tissue surrounding the tooth is more aligned with infiltrative techniques that numb only the immediate area around a specific tooth rather than providing comprehensive anesthesia for broader treatment.