Managing endodontic patients with severe gag reflex by glossopharyngeal nerve block technique

Gagging is a protective reflex, but when the gag reflex becomes abnormally active, it poses a difficulty for the dentist because it hinders all aspects of dental procedures including diagnosis, radiography, and any form of active procedure.

In this case report, to overcome this difficulty the authors used a glossopharyngeal nerve block technique that is used by anesthetists and otolaryngologists, but its endodontic use has gone previously unreported.

Response to gag reflex decreases after successful glossopharyngeal nerve block.

The glossopharyngeal nerve block technique is a relatively safe, simple, and easy to master technique as compared with general anesthesia for treating a patient with an exaggerated gag reflex. The glossopharyngeal nerve block technique may be used in dental procedures in patients with an exaggerated gag reflex or when performing procedures in the posterior aspect of the mouth. Due caution should be exercised to prevent inadvertent intravascular administration of local anesthetic when using this procedure.