title: Maxillary nerve block via the greater palatine canal: An old technique revisited.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maxillary nerve block through the greater palatine canal is rarely adopted by dental practitioners due to lack of experience in the technique at hand which may lead into several complications. Nevertheless, it is an excellent method to achieve profound anesthesia in the maxilla. This review focuses on the anatomy as well as the indications, contraindications, and complications associated with this technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was performed using the scientific databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) for articles published up to December 2014 in English, using the key words "maxillary nerve block via the greater palatine canal." A total of 34 references met the inclusion criteria for this review and were selected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Block of the maxillary nerve through the greater palatine canal is a useful technique providing profound anesthesia in the hemi-maxilla, if practiced properly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Diagnosis, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon ; Department of Fundamental Sciences, School of Dentistry, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aoun
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Diagnosis, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zaarour
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology and Imaging, School of Dentistry, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Sayde
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sokhn
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology and Imaging, School of Dentistry, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nasseh
keywords: Anesthesia; cone beam computed tomography; greater palatine canal; greater palatine foramen; maxillary nerve block; pterygopalatine fossa