What does a dental infiltration type injection primarily affect?

A dental infiltration type injection primarily affects the nerve endings in the immediate area only. This technique is commonly used in dental procedures to provide localized anesthesia to a specific tooth or area in the mouth. By placing the anesthetic solution near the nerve endings that serve the targeted area, the dentist can effectively numb a small region, which allows for procedures such as fillings, extractions, or other minor treatments to be performed without causing discomfort to the patient.

The focus of infiltrations is on achieving localized numbness rather than affecting larger areas like an entire jaw or specific nerves such as the mandibular nerve. This makes infiltrations suitable for procedures in the maxilla or mandibular teeth where more targeted anesthesia is needed, avoiding widespread anesthesia that could result from other techniques. Infiltrations are particularly effective in the maxilla due to its thinner bone density, making it easier for the anesthetic to diffuse and reach the nerve endings.