Trismus Following Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block: A Case Report

Trismus, characterized by a restricted mouth opening due to involuntary muscle spasms, poses significant challenges to eating, speaking, and other oral functions. In fact, this condition often results from various factors including post-third molar surgery complications, temporalis and medial pterygoid muscle involvement, repeated or incorrectly administered intramuscular injections, and complications from local anesthesia usage. Despite the high safety and efficacy of local anesthetics in oral surgery, side effects including trismus warrant careful consideration. Management strategies for muscle-related trismus typically involve a multitude of early interventions, with resolution generally occurring within few weeks. Our paper presents a case where trismus following inferior alveolar nerve block administration was successfully managed through a comprehensive approach, leading to significant improvements in mouth opening, pain, and edema. Despite being challenging, this case highlights the effectiveness of a multifaceted treatment strategy in managing trismus and underscores the importance of early and appropriate interventions to enhance patient outcomes.