 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
To achieve “conscious sedation, the medical team administers a combination of painkillers and sedatives. The sedation
is not as deep as with general anesthesia. In fact, the patient can freely communicate with the medical team and provide
feedback during the procedure. There is no impairment of cardiovascular and respiratory function as there is with
general anesthesia. Nevertheless, the medical team usually monitors heart and blood pressure when the patient is under
conscious sedation. Conscious sedation can be administered by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist,
anesthesiologist, physician, or oral surgeons.
After Conscious Sedation
Patients who undergo conscious sedation generally recover more quickly than if they had general anesthesia, but may
not remember the procedure. Some of the medications induce amnesia. After conscious sedation, a patient should not
drive, operate heavy machinery or make important decisions for at least twenty-four hours.
Post-sedation side-effects are relatively uncommon. Some patients, however, experience nausea, headache, vomiting, or
vague and unpleasant memories of the experience.