You pay at the time of your visit, and we’ll file your insurance claim for you — your insurance will reimburse you directly based on your plan’s coverage.
Our membership plans make it easy to prioritize your child’s oral health and overall wellness without the stress of insurance limitations or unexpected costs.
We’ll always provide detailed treatment estimates and work with you to find payment solutions that fit your family’s budget and healthcare goals.
Airway-focused orthodontics represents a revolutionary approach to children’s dental and overall health that goes far beyond straightening teeth. This specialized field recognizes the crucial connection between proper jaw development, breathing patterns, sleep quality, and your child’s overall wellness. At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Wengler combines her advanced training in airway health with pediatric expertise to identify and address breathing issues during the most critical developmental periods.
Most jaw growth occurs before age six, making early evaluation and intervention essential for optimal outcomes. By addressing airway restrictions and guiding proper development during these formative years, we can prevent complex problems that might require more invasive treatments later while supporting your child’s natural growth and development.
Modern research reveals that many childhood health issues previously considered separate problems are actually connected to airway development and breathing patterns. Children with narrow airways may experience disrupted sleep, behavioral challenges, learning difficulties, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. Dr. Wengler’s specialized training in airway health allows her to recognize these connections and provide early interventions that support your child’s overall wellness.
Proper nasal breathing is essential for healthy development, as it filters and humidifies air while promoting optimal oxygen exchange. When children become habitual mouth breathers due to airway restrictions, it can affect facial growth, dental alignment, sleep quality, and even cognitive function. Our comprehensive approach addresses these underlying issues rather than simply treating symptoms.
Proper airway development supports better sleep quality, leading to improved behavior, learning capacity, and overall health during crucial developmental years.
Optimizing jaw growth and airway function during peak developmental periods promotes proper facial growth and prevents the need for more complex interventions later.
Early airway intervention establishes healthy breathing patterns that support respiratory health, sleep quality, and overall wellness throughout your child's lifetime.
Experience the difference that holistic pediatric care can make for your child. Our comprehensive approach combines gentle techniques with transparent communication to create positive dental experiences that last a lifetime. We’re here to partner with you in supporting your child’s overall health and development through expert oral care.
From fluoride-free alternatives to airway-focused orthodontics, we offer the choices and expertise your family deserves. Schedule your consultation today and discover how our unique approach can benefit your child’s health and wellness journey.
During these critical growth years, we focus on guiding development through:
Building on early development, treatments may include:
For adolescents, treatment focuses on:
Our airway assessment begins with Dr. Wengler’s specialized evaluation that combines her pediatric training with advanced airway health certification. We examine your child’s facial structure, jaw development, tongue posture, and breathing patterns while discussing sleep quality, behavior patterns, and any concerns you’ve observed.
What We Evaluate:
Parents often notice subtle signs that may indicate airway issues affecting their child’s development and well-being:
Sleep-Related Signs:
Behavioral and Learning Signs:
Physical Signs:
Dr. Wengler’s background in nutritional sciences and her comprehensive training allow her to address the complex relationships between oral development, nutrition, sleep, and overall health. Proper jaw development directly influences a child’s ability to breathe through the nose, maintain good sleep quality, and support healthy brain development during critical growth periods.
Myofunctional therapy is one of the key tools in our airway-focused approach. By retraining the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face, myofunctional therapy helps establish proper tongue posture and nasal breathing habits — foundational patterns that support lasting orthodontic results and better airway health. We coordinate with certified myofunctional therapists in San Antonio when indicated as part of a child’s care plan.
Our integrated approach means we look beyond teeth and jaw structure to understand how breathing mechanics, sleep quality, and oral muscle function work together. Early identification during peak growth years can prevent the need for more invasive interventions later and support your child’s development at every stage.
We recommend airway evaluation by age 3-4, as this allows us to identify potential issues during peak jaw development years. Early signs include mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, or behavioral challenges that may be related to poor sleep quality. Since most jaw growth occurs before age six, early intervention provides the greatest opportunity for natural correction.
Our airway orthodontics evaluation in San Antonio includes a detailed sleep questionnaire for children five and older, clinical examination of oral and facial structures, analysis of breathing patterns, and assessment of jaw development. We may also recommend consultation with sleep specialists or ENT physicians when indicated to ensure comprehensive care.
Treatment options vary based on your child’s age and specific needs. For younger children, we may recommend palate expansion in San Antonio, myofunctional therapy, or habit modification. Older children and teenagers may benefit from Invisalign orthodontics in San Antonio, functional appliances, or traditional expansion devices. All treatments are designed to work with your child’s natural growth patterns.
Traditional orthodontics primarily focuses on tooth alignment, while airway-focused orthodontics addresses the underlying structure that affects breathing, sleep, and overall health. We evaluate jaw size, tongue posture, breathing patterns, and facial development to create treatment plans that improve function as well as appearance.
Treatment duration varies based on your child’s age, developmental stage, and specific needs. Early intervention during peak growth years often requires shorter treatment times and less complex appliances than waiting until growth is complete. We provide realistic timelines and adjust treatment as your child develops.
Many parents report improvements in sleep quality, daytime behavior, and academic performance following airway treatment. When children can breathe properly and sleep soundly, it often positively affects their energy levels, concentration, and overall well-being. However, every child is unique, and we provide realistic expectations based on individual circumstances.
When you bring your child to Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, they’ll be cared for by a board-certified pediatric dentist who believes parents deserve to know exactly what materials and methods are being used in their child’s care.
Dr. Christi Wengler, DDS, is the founder of Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway — San Antonio’s first holistic pediatric dental practice. A San Antonio native and Board Certified Diplomate and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She earned her undergraduate degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin and her DDS from the University of Texas Health San Antonio. She is also a United States Air Force veteran, serving 11 years.
Dr. Wengler is a Certified Lactation Counselor since 2019 and Airway Health Solutions certified provider. She brings a unique combination of advanced pediatric expertise, nutritional science knowledge, and airway-focused orthodontic training to every patient. Her goal is to empower parents with choices and provide gentle, transparent care that supports the child’s complete development.
We understand that choosing out-of-network care is a big decision. That’s why we make it easy to understand your benefits and offer multiple ways to keep your child’s holistic dental care affordable — because the quality of materials in your child’s mouth matters.
We accept and submit claims to all PPO dental insurance plans. Our team helps you maximize your out-of-network benefits so your family receives the highest-quality biocompatible materials and personalized care.
We partner with CareCredit to offer flexible monthly payment plans. Break your child’s treatment into manageable payments with low or no interest options — so cost never stands between your child and the care they need.
No insurance? Our in-house membership plan gives your family affordable access to preventive care and discounted treatments — one simple plan, no surprise bills, and no compromise on quality materials.
Questions about coverage or financing? Call us at (210) 352-9028 — we’re happy to walk you through your options.
Parents choose Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway because they want a practice that listens, explains, and puts their child’s whole-body wellness first. Here’s what San Antonio families are saying.
Whether you’re looking for a second opinion, concerned about what materials are being used in your child’s care, or searching for a dentist who treats the whole child — not just their teeth — you’ve found the right place.
At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, every treatment option is presented with full transparency about materials and methods. Because parents deserve choices, and children deserve gentle, holistic care that supports their natural development.
The content on this website has been reviewed by Dr. Christi Wengler, DDS, for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Treatment outcomes vary based on individual needs. Contact Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway at (210) 352-9028 for personalized care or dental emergencies.
