Which nerve provides pulpal innervation to the canines?

• A. Anterior superior alveolar nerve (ASA)
• B. Infraorbital nerve
• C. Posterior superior alveolar nerve
• D. Mesiobuccal nerve

Answer: (A)

The pulpal sensation for the maxillary canines comes from the anterior superior alveolar nerve, a branch of the infraorbital nerve. This nerve travels in the anterior portion of the maxilla and supplies the pulp and the facial gingiva of the canine and the adjacent incisors. The infraorbital nerve is the parent trunk, and it can give rise to the anterior superior alveolar branch (among others). The posterior superior alveolar nerve handles the molars in the posterior maxilla, not the canines, and the mesiobuccal nerve is a branch associated with the molar region rather than the canine. So, for canine pulpal innervation, the anterior superior alveolar nerve is the correct source.