Which nerve is responsible for dental sensation?

• A. Facial nerve
• B. Trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve)
• C. Glossopharyngeal nerve
• D. Vagus nerve

Answer: (B)

Dental sensation travels via the trigeminal nerve, the main sensory nerve of the face. It has three divisions: the maxillary division supplies the upper teeth through the superior alveolar nerves, and the mandibular division supplies the lower teeth through the inferior alveolar nerve (which gives the mental and incisive branches). Sensory signals from the teeth and surrounding structures travel from the dental pulp and periodontal areas to the trigeminal ganglion and then to the brainstem. The other nerves listed have different roles—facial nerve chiefly handles muscles of facial expression and some taste, glossopharyngeal nerve covers the posterior tongue and oropharynx, and vagus nerve is involved in sensation of the pharynx/larynx and visceral functions. Therefore, the nerve responsible for dental sensation is the trigeminal nerve.