Sedative Techniques: An Update on Multiple Approaches

Outpatient sedation in oral and maxillofacial surgery integrates pharmacologic agents, physiologic monitoring, and airway management principles to safely perform procedures in healthy adult patients. Intravenous sedation remains the primary modality due to its rapid onset, titratability, and predictable recovery. Commonly used agents include benzodiazepines, opioids, propofol, ketamine, and dexmedetomidine, often in multimodal combinations. Safe practice requires understanding sedation depth, drug interactions, and airway physiology, as well as the ability to recognize and manage complications such as laryngospasm and bronchospasm. Thoughtful use of adjunctive medications further enhances patient comfort and postoperative outcomes.