Dental Treatment with Nitrous Oxide

At TRUE SMILE Dental Center in Abu Dhabi, we believe dental care should be gentle and stress-free, especially for children. That’s why we offer nitrous oxide dental treatment, often called laughing gas, as a trusted form of minimal sedation.

What Is Nitrous Oxide in Dentistry and How Does It Work?

Nitrous oxide is a mild, inhaled sedative that has been a trusted part of pediatric and family dental care for generations. Combined with oxygen and delivered through a small nose mask, it gently calms the patient without putting them to sleep.

When we use nitrous oxide for dental treatment, patients stay fully awake and responsive. They can talk, breathe on their own, and interact with the dentist throughout treatment, but feel more relaxed, less afraid, and often even a bit giggly — which is how it earned the nickname laughing gas.

Gentle sedation is very helpful for easing nerves and building confidence in children who are new to the dental chair.

Here’s what sets our approach apart:

We offer laughing gas even for simple treatments like fillings or cleanings, because comfort matters at every step.
Our Al Reem Island clinic is bright, calm, and welcoming, it is designed to feel safe from the very first visit.
Each member of our team is specifically trained to care for children with patience, kindness, and a no-force approach.

When Is Laughing Gas a Good Option?

In dentistry, sedation isn’t only for major procedures. We use laughing gas in Abu Dhabi for many different patients and situations:

Children with dental anxiety or fear of needles
Kids with sensory sensitivities or special needs
Toddlers coming for their first dental visit
Patients undergoing longer procedures like multiple fillings
Anxious adults who want to avoid panic during the procedure

If you’re looking for a kids’ dentist with laughing gas in the UAE, you’ll find one right here at TRUE SMILE.

Is Nitrous Oxide Safe for Children?

Nitrous oxide is a thoroughly proven and reliable sedation method, widely accepted in pediatric dentistry. When mixed with oxygen, nitrous oxide doesn’t harm a child’s body and is naturally expelled within minutes after treatment. It’s gentle on the system, does not trigger allergic reactions, and plays a key role in reducing emotional stress and fear around dental visits.

When administered following proper guidelines, nitrous oxide is entirely safe. At TRUE SMILE Dental Center, we follow all sedation protocols rigorously, ensuring that your child’s safety and well-being come first.

As noted by the American Dental Association (ADA):

The inhaled mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is a safe and effective means of managing pain and anxiety in dentistry.

We take that responsibility seriously, and every member of our team is trained to make the experience as safe and comfortable as possible.

How Does Sedation Feel for the Child?

Here’s how sedation works at TRUE SMILE Dental Center: after a short play and friendly conversation, the dentist gently puts a soft mask on the child. With just a few breaths a blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen, the child relaxes and we start the treatment right away.

It’s important to note that sedation doesn’t replace local anesthesia. In many cases, we still numb the treatment area, but thanks to the calming effect of nitrous oxide, children barely notice the injection.

Children often describe the feeling as light, warm, and peaceful — like floating while still being fully aware of their surroundings. There’s no fear, no resistance, and no panic. For teens, the experience is often described as a pleasant mental break, making the appointment feel more manageable and far less stressful.

When You Should Not Choose Laughing Gas?

Sedation with laughing gas may not be suitable for:

A child with impaired nasal breathing (such as from a cold, adenoiditis, sinusitis, or an exacerbation of allergic rhinitis)
A child with an extremely intense fear of doctors (stomatophobia)
A child who is unable to communicate with the doctor (due to age or an underlying medical condition)
A child who has had a traumatic brain injury within 3 months (or more recently) before the dental treatment
A child struggling with chronic otitis during an active flare-up
A child with epilepsy or seizure disorders

What should we do before coming in for sedation?

Here’s a quick checklist for parents:

Keep meals light: just a small snack about 2 hours before the appointment
Let your child know they might feel a little silly or sleepy — and that it’s totally normal
Stay calm and positive: your mood really sets the tone
After the visit, your child can resume most activities, but we suggest a quiet rest of the day

Cost for Dental Treatment with Nitrous Oxide

Caries treatment in primary posterior tooth and restoration with tooth-colored composite material, 1 surface	550 (AED)
Comprehensive Oral Hygiene for Children with Primary Dentition	550 (AED)
Comprehensive Oral Hygiene for Patients with Mixed Dentition (Ages 7-15)	650 (AED)
Cross-Bite Correction Removable appliance	2700 (AED)
Examination and Diagnosis, Complete, Mixed Dentition, to include: еxtended examination and diagnosis on mixed dentition, recording history, charting, treatment planning, еruption sequence, tooth size-jaw size assessment	275 (AED)
Examination and Diagnosis, Complete, Primary Dentition, to include: еxtended examination and diagnosis on primary dentition, recording history, charting, treatment planning	275 (AED)
Extraction of a primary tooth	350-450 (AED)
Fissure sealing	360 (AED)
Oral assessment for Patient up to the age of 3 years inclusive. Assessment to include: familial dental history; dietary/feeding practices; oral habits; oral hygiene; fluoride exposure. Anticipatory guidance with parent/guardian to be conducted by dentist and/or staff.	275 (AED)

Our doctors

Specialist Orthodontist

Dr. Karan Kalra

ENGLISH
HINDI

General Dentist

Dr. Faten Souki El Jurdi

ENGLISH
ARABIC
SPANISH

General Dentist

Dr. Ramona Kleinschmidt Do Valle

ENGLISH
ITALIAN
PORTUGUESE

Specialist Endodontist

Dr. Tina Kumar

ENGLISH
ARABIC
HINDI

General Dentist, Prosthodontist

Dr. Ali Gibreel

ENGLISH
ARABIC

General Dentist

Dr. Tatiana Pestova

ENGLISH
RUSSIAN

We answer frequently asked questions

Most children are ready to try nitrous oxide sedation around age 4 or 5, once they’re comfortable wearing the soft nose mask and can follow simple instructions. That said, some younger children (around 2–3 years) may also be suitable depending on the situation. We always assess readiness during a consultation and make sure your little one is a good fit before moving forward.

Yes. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is one of the safest forms of pediatric dental sedation available. It’s been used for decades, doesn’t go into the bloodstream, and is fully eliminated within minutes. At TRUE SMILE Dental Center in Abu Dhabi, we follow international safety protocols and monitor every child throughout their visit.

Kids usually say it feels floaty, funny, or like dreaming but awake. They stay fully aware, can talk to us, and are in complete control but the fear and tension melt away. Some get a case of the giggles, others just quietly relax. It’s amazing how many say afterward: “That was actually easy!”

Only about 5 to 10 minutes. We switch to pure oxygen at the end of the treatment, which helps clear out the nitrous oxide quickly. Most children bounce right back and can return to normal activities, though we recommend a calm rest of the day just to be safe.

Yes, in many cases. If your toddler can wear the nasal mask comfortably and follow basic directions, nitrous oxide sedation can be very effective — even starting around age 2–3. The best way to know is to come in for a gentle, no-pressure consultation with our pediatric team.

Yes, sedation helps your child stay calm, but it doesn’t replace local anesthesia. We still numb the area for fillings or extractions. The benefit is that with sedation, kids are much less aware of the injection. Most don’t even notice it’s happening.

Yes, but not in a bad way. Children typically remember feeling relaxed and safe, not scared. Some don’t recall the trickier parts of treatment at all because they weren’t emotionally overwhelmed in the moment

We’d never force anything. If your child feels uncomfortable with the mask, we’ll take more time, adjust the environment, or consider rescheduling. At TRUE SMILE, building trust always comes before treatment.

Yes — in fact, laughing gas is often a great option for children with autism or sensory challenges. It reduces overstimulation and helps soften their reactions to lights, sounds, or unfamiliar settings. Every child is different, so we customize our approach carefully.

Not at all. Nitrous oxide is non-addictive and non-habit forming. Kids don’t crave it or become dependent. In fact, after one or two good visits, many children become confident enough that they don’t need sedation at all.

Since the gas is inhaled through the nose, any kind of nasal congestion (from a cold, sinus infection, or allergies) can interfere with how well it works. If your child is sick, we may recommend postponing the visit until they’re feeling better.

Absolutely. We use nitrous oxide sedation for adults all the time — especially those with dental anxiety, strong gag reflexes, or past traumatic experiences. It’s quick, effective, and helps you get the care you need comfortably.

Yes — that’s actually one of its most practical benefits. Laughing gas can significantly reduce the gag reflex, making things like cleanings or impressions much easier, especially for kids who are extra sensitive.

Here’s a quick checklist for parents:

Keep meals light: just a small snack about 2 hours before the appointment
Let your child know they might feel a little silly or sleepy — and that it’s totally normal
Stay calm and positive: your mood really sets the tone
After the visit, your child can resume most activities, but we suggest a quiet rest of the day