LOCAL ANESTHESIA FOR DENTAL
PROFESSIONALS CHAPTER 21
COMPREHENSIVE SOLVED QUESTIONS AND
COMPLETE ANSWERS
◉ Pain perception.
Answer: Sensation of discomfort ranging from mild to severe.
◉ Pain threshold.
Answer: Point at which a sensation starts to be painful and
discomfort results.
◉ Pain reaction.
Answer: Personal interpretation and responses to the pain message
- highly variable.
◉ Signs of dental anxiety - Physical.
Answer: Cold, sweaty palms; high blood pressure/pulse; muscle
tightness, 'white knuckle syndrome' perspiration on the forehead.
◉ Signs of dental anxiety - Behavioral.
, Answer: History of canceled non-emergency appointments or
emergency-only care; nervous conversations; playing with tissues;
restlessness.
◉ Resting Membrane Potential (RMP).
Answer: -70 mV - Nerve is polarized.
◉ Na⁺/K⁺ pump.
Answer: 3 Na⁺ out, 2 K⁺ in.
◉ Action Potential (Impulse).
Answer: Stimulus occurs, Na⁺ channels open, Na⁺ rushes in →
Depolarization.
◉ Threshold reached.
Answer: -55 mV.
◉ Potential peaks.
Answer: Around +30 mV.
◉ Propagation of action potentials.
Answer: The action potential moving down the nerve.
PROFESSIONALS CHAPTER 21
COMPREHENSIVE SOLVED QUESTIONS AND
COMPLETE ANSWERS
◉ Pain perception.
Answer: Sensation of discomfort ranging from mild to severe.
◉ Pain threshold.
Answer: Point at which a sensation starts to be painful and
discomfort results.
◉ Pain reaction.
Answer: Personal interpretation and responses to the pain message
- highly variable.
◉ Signs of dental anxiety - Physical.
Answer: Cold, sweaty palms; high blood pressure/pulse; muscle
tightness, 'white knuckle syndrome' perspiration on the forehead.
◉ Signs of dental anxiety - Behavioral.
, Answer: History of canceled non-emergency appointments or
emergency-only care; nervous conversations; playing with tissues;
restlessness.
◉ Resting Membrane Potential (RMP).
Answer: -70 mV - Nerve is polarized.
◉ Na⁺/K⁺ pump.
Answer: 3 Na⁺ out, 2 K⁺ in.
◉ Action Potential (Impulse).
Answer: Stimulus occurs, Na⁺ channels open, Na⁺ rushes in →
Depolarization.
◉ Threshold reached.
Answer: -55 mV.
◉ Potential peaks.
Answer: Around +30 mV.
◉ Propagation of action potentials.
Answer: The action potential moving down the nerve.
