Which nerve is associated with analgesia of the upper lateral incisor?

The correct response is associated with the anterior superior alveolar nerve, which is responsible for providing sensation, including pain perception (or the absence of such perception, known as analgesia), to the upper lateral incisor as well as the central incisor and the canine in the maxillary arch. The anterior superior alveolar nerve branches off from the maxillary nerve, specifically targeting the anterior teeth in the upper jaw.

This nerve’s function is particularly relevant in dental procedures involving the upper anterior teeth, where local anesthetics are often applied to induce analgesia, enabling the dentist to perform work without causing discomfort to the patient. The other nerves listed each have distinct roles in innervating different areas and do not specifically target the upper lateral incisor. For instance, the lingual nerve primarily supplies sensation to the tongue and the floor of the mouth, while the inferior alveolar nerve primarily serves the lower jaw's teeth. The greater palatine nerve is responsible for sensation from the hard palate. Thus, the targeted analgesia of the upper lateral incisor is most accurately associated with the anterior superior alveolar nerve.