In the article, we will consider what is the innervation of teeth.
Innervation is a biological process of supplying various organs and tissues of a person with nerves. Due to this, a connection arises between them and the main share of the nervous system, which is central. This supply is efferent, otherwise it is also called motor, as well as afferent. Any information about the organs, their general condition and the various processes occurring in them is perceived at the expense of receptors, and then sent through the sensitive fiber directly to the central nervous system. Almost immediately, the system sends response signals to the nerve endings, which control the work of internal organs. About the innervation of teeth will be described in more detail below.
The concept
Innervation (from the Latin “in”, which means “in” or “inside”, and “nervus”, which, in turn, translates as “nerves”). So, under this term in medicine, as well as in the field of dentistry, it is customary to understand the supply of nerves to tissues and organs, due to which their connection with the central nervous system is ensured.
Thus, the innervation of teeth, as well as other organs, is required to achieve regulation of their central nervous system activity. This is a very important process in the framework of human life, affecting the functioning of tissues according to emerging needs. In more detail about innervation, and in addition, dental blood supply will be discussed later.
Lower jaw
There are several major nerves that extend from the mandibular sensory ending. I must say that in accordance with them there is an innervation of the lower teeth. Thus, we are talking about the buccal, lingual and dimple element. All of them perform certain functions, and they are located in different parts of the human body. Next, we consider individually each of them.
Innervation of the mandible incisors and buccal nerve
This element is considered one of the most powerful in its group. Among other things, he is the only sensitive. It usually runs from the head of the pterygoid lateral muscle to the mucosa and skin of the cheeks of a person. Then it follows along the buccal muscle. This nerve is supplied (innervated) skin in the area of the corner of the mouth. It also connects to the facial elements at the branching point.
What else does innervation of teeth suggest?
Lingual nerve
This is a more sensitive in nature ending that connects to the mandibular element in the area of the oval opening. The lingual nerve lies between the muscle pterygoid fibers, next to the pterygoid medial tissue, and more precisely in its upper part. The so-called drum string is attached to the lingual structure, which is a thin branch, which in Latin sounds like “chorda tympani”.
A drum string is a parasympathetic root consisting of a thin fiber. This element, which is a continuation of the intermediate nerves, is intended to transmit taste irritation from language receptors. This, in turn, provokes salivation of several glands at once (sublingual and submandibular). A drum string, as a rule, consists of two types of fibers.
The nerve hole
This element passes into the mandibular opening located in the inner surface of the branch, or rather, directly in its middle part. This hole is included in the lower jaw. This is a very important component of the nervous system, as it is intended for the innervation of the dentition located throughout the lower jaw. The nerve itself lies below the tooth roots.
Maxillary innervation
In the process of innervation of the teeth of the upper jaw, the alveolar and palatine branches of the maxillary nerve located here play an important role. It is worth noting that they are the source of sensitivity. Below are the main branches in the bones of the upper jaw that form the dental plexus. Consider now the basic structure of the innervation of the upper teeth:
- Big palatine element. He takes a direct part in the innervation of the gums from the side of the sky (in this regard, this branch is called so). The innervation lies in the area of incisors such as premolars, molars and fangs.
- Nasal tissue. Translated from Latin, "nasopalatinus" means the nerve that connects the corresponding area. It is located closer to the region of the respiratory organ and is directly involved in the processes of innervation from the side of the sky. True, in this case, directly in the area of incisors and fangs. The innervation of the teeth of the upper jaw is of interest to many patients.
- Upper posterior alveolar. It is formed from the dental plexus, in the formation of which nerve receptor fibers participate. This nerve can innervate simultaneously the vestibular surface of the gum tissue in the molars and the teeth themselves.
- Upper middle alveolar element. This branch is located above the molar in the upper region of the jaw of a person. She, as a rule, takes part in the process of innervation of premolars and the first molar, and in addition, the vestibular side of the gum in the region of the above incisors.
- Upper anterior alveolar element. It is located in the anterior region of the upper jaw. At the same time, he takes part in the innervation of incisors and fangs. Among other things, this branch innervates the gum tissue in the area of these teeth.
It is worth noting that the alveolar upper nerves, or rather the anterior and middle ones, branch off at about the bottom of the orbit, they also disconnect from the maxillary elements. Their path runs through the maxillary sinus to the incisors that innervate these branches.
Blood supply and innervation of teeth
In addition to innervation, the incisors require a full supply of blood for themselves, along with it they receive all the substances required for themselves. As a rule, branches of the maxillary artery are involved in this process. The corresponding channels are suitable for the posterior elements, and their anterior alveolar counterparts, of course, are suitable for the anterior ones. All this relates to the teeth on the upper jaw. In certain areas, the alveolar arteries can branch into several of the following branch types:
- Interalveolar (i.e. to the alveolus of the incisor and gums).
- Gingival (respectively, to the gingival tissues).
- And dental - directly to the incisors.
The implementation of a blood outflow from the teeth involved in the veins that accompany the blood arteries. It is worth emphasizing that the pterygoid venous plexus is exactly the place where the flow of the nutritional composition is carried out.
Why is the innervation of the teeth of the upper and lower jaw minimized?
Features of the anesthesia procedure
Anesthesia is one of the ways to minimize nervous sensitivity, which is based on blocking the patient’s consciousness due to the deep inhibition of neural transmission and synapse of the cerebral cortex using various drugs.
Thanks to new developments in the field of anesthesiology, modern dental clinics have stopped the use of anesthesia associated with the inhalation of specialized gas. From now on, a new licensed technique called “sedation” is used. This technology involves the introduction into the human body of drugs that introduce the patient into a controlled short-term medical sleep. The cost of a new sedative technique aimed at losing sensitivity for twenty minutes is three thousand seven hundred rubles. From how medicinal substances are currently introduced into the body, several of the following types of sedation are distinguished: inhalation, oral and intravenous.
In the field of dentistry, intravenous surface technology is often used. Since with a shallow form of minimizing nervous sensitivity, all functions of the body carry out normal activities, but the person is in a light sleep.
Indications in outpatient dentistry
The use of modern technologies of anesthesia in the field of dental treatment is advisable in the following cases:
- The presence of allergies to local anesthetic medications.
- The patient has a strong fear of any pain, and dental manipulation in particular.
Given the innovations in the field of practical dentistry, it is also worth adding the great desire of many patients to conduct therapy using general anesthesia.
As part of a balanced decision on the use of such technologies for the innervation of the teeth of the lower jaw or upper in modern clinics, each patient is required to be informed of all possible complications and dangers of any type of anesthesia. But you should not be afraid, since in good dental clinics, operations for the treatment, prosthetics, extraction and implantation of teeth using general anesthesia are carried out by licensed doctors, anesthetists and resuscitators with more than ten years of experience.
Contraindications to temporarily minimize the innervation of teeth and jaws in patients
All contraindications to the use of local anesthetic can be combined in the following three points:
- Hypersensitivity of immunity to local anesthetics. In this case, the doctor selects the pain medication that is most suitable for the planned intervention (take into account the depth, duration and nature).
- The insufficiency of the patient's metabolic system (purification and withdrawal). It takes into account the characteristics of the patient’s body, their general somatic state, along with the presence of contraindications.
- Age limit. In this case, the dosage of painkillers is taken into account, the criteria for choosing local drugs are taken into account.
Reviews
Thus, the innervation of the teeth of the upper and lower jaw suggests their strong sensitivity. Therefore, when there is a need for a serious and profound treatment that affects nerve tissue, you can’t do without anesthesia procedure.
In the comments and various discussions on the forums, people share with each other the modern possibilities of dental therapy. It is noted that certain methods used to achieve temporary loss of sensitivity of the region of the upper and lower jaw are very effective and safe.
In fact, in dentistry, pain has long been a major problem in attendance at relevant treatment rooms around the world. It is because of the fear of pain that many people prefer to avoid visits to the dentist, mistakenly believing that the therapy will be extremely unpleasant and painful.
But as experienced patients assure, modern techniques help minimize these concerns. According to the stories of people who regularly undergo dental treatment, the most popular technologies today are injection and application anesthesia, and in addition, general anesthesia.
We examined the blood supply and innervation of teeth.