What does "maxillary infiltration" refer to in local anesthesia?

Maxillary infiltration refers to the technique of administering a local anesthetic injection directly into the mucosa near the maxillary teeth. This approach allows for effective anesthesia of soft tissues and teeth in the maxillary arch due to the close proximity of the nerves supplying sensation to this area.

When anesthetic is injected into the mucosa around the maxillary teeth, it diffuses to reach the terminal branches of the maxillary nerve. This local administration is crucial for procedures involving various maxillary teeth, ensuring that the patient experiences minimal discomfort.

The other choices mention methods or locations not associated with the maxillary infiltration technique. For instance, injecting into the nerve behind the maxilla would imply a different approach, more akin to conducting a nerve block rather than a soft tissue infiltration. Additionally, injection at the base of the mandible pertains to mandibular anesthesia and does not apply to the maxilla. Lastly, suggesting that this technique is only used for upper jaw surgeries is misleading, as maxillary infiltration is widely applicable for various dental procedures beyond just surgery, including routine restorations and extractions.