You might be scratching your head a bit here, and it’s understandable. After all, isn’t the phrase conscious sedation contradictory? Being conscious means that you are awake and aware while being sedated means that you are generally out to the world. How can the two mix? Especially in a medical/healthcare setting?
Well, conscious sedation leaves you numb and relaxed, but not so relaxed that you fall unconscious. You’ll be aware of your surroundings, just not aware enough to interact with anyone. The reason some people choose this is that traditional sedation leaves a person incapacitated, and it takes longer for them to recover and go back to their day. Conscious sedation allows the patient to remain numb for as long as needed, and then once it wears off they can get back to their normal schedule.
As you might expect, this procedure cannot be performed by everyone, and there are courses and conscious sedation certification for dentists and doctors that need to be taken before they are licensed to perform the sedation. It’s generally used for smaller procedures, and the effects wear off quickly. It is taken the same way anesthesia is done, either through a shot, pill, or IV needle.
Much like anesthesia, you’ll still need someone to take you home and keep an eye on you, and you might feel drowsy, lightheaded, or nauseous. But if you like the benefit of being able to respond to cues and remaining awake and aware for whatever procedure you are getting, then conscious sedation might be for you.
For bigger surgeries and procedures, you will need to be knocked out, but some minor surgeries and procedures can be done with conscious sedation. It’s all up to you and if the doctor or dentist is qualified or not.