National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) Practice Exam

Buccal infiltration anesthesia causing sharp pain in the cheek that blanches indicates...

1. Stimulation of sympathetic nerves around an artery

2. Allergic reaction to the anesthetic

3. Infection at the injection site

4. Nerve damage

The correct answer is: Stimulation of sympathetic nerves around an artery

Sharp pain in the cheek that blanches indicates that there is stimulation of the sympathetic nerves around an artery. This means that the anesthesia has affected the nerves responsible for the constriction of blood vessels in the cheek, resulting in sharp pain and the area turning pale due to reduced blood flow. Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not explain this specific manifestation of buccal infiltration anesthesia. Option B is incorrect because an allergic reaction to the anesthetic would cause different symptoms, such as swelling or itching. Option C is incorrect as an infection would cause localized swelling, redness, and warmth at the injection site. Option D is incorrect because nerve damage would produce a different type of pain and may also cause numbness or tingling in the area. In contrast, the sharp pain and blanching in this scenario are related to the nerves that control blood flow, not the sensation