Conscious sedation is a technique that achieves an intermediate state between wakefulness and sleep by administering hypnotic-sedative drugs that act on the central nervous system. The fundamental effect of this technique is the maintenance of consciousness, with the patient's ability to respond verbally and cooperate with the oral surgeon. It also achieves independent maintenance of airway patency and swallowing and cough reflexes.

Neuromuscular relaxation combined with mild analgesia maintains adequate sedation with very low risk to the patient. Vital signs will be monitored both clinically and instrumentally. This technique also reduces the patient's auditory and visual stimuli associated with the administration of effective local anesthesia.

The advantage of sedating a patient who remains conscious and who retains airway protective reflexes and anterograde amnesia in oral surgery is extremely valuable. Complications are primarily related to the side effects of the medications administered. Potential risks include respiratory depression, aspiration of gastric contents, cardiac complications, and allergic reactions. However, these complications are rare and are generally well managed.