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.
Front teeth crowding in a six-year-old’s smile could be your body’s early warning system for jaw growth headed the wrong direction — and by age twelve, that same crowding might mean tooth extractions instead of a simple aligner tray. Most parents don’t realize that roughly 75% of children’s smiles won’t need any early intervention at all, but for the smaller group who do, catching the signs during the mixed dentition years can mean the difference between guiding growth and correcting it later.
Dr. Christi Wengler at Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway built San Antonio’s first holistic pediatric dental practice around exactly this kind of proactive, whole-child thinking, and Invisalign First fits squarely into that philosophy as part of her airway-focused orthodontics approach for children in Castle Hills and the surrounding San Antonio area. Rather than waiting until a child’s permanent teeth have fully erupted, Dr. Wengler evaluates jaw development, airway function, and bite alignment together, so families understand not just whether their child needs treatment, but why.
Invisalign First is a clear aligner system designed specifically for children still in mixed dentition, meaning they have a combination of baby teeth and permanent teeth in their mouth. Instead of metal brackets and wires, a series of smooth, custom-fit trays gradually guide teeth and jaw structures into better positions while a child’s mouth is still actively growing and most receptive to change.
Common candidates for this stage of treatment include children with crowded or spaced teeth, narrow dental arches, crossbites, or early signs of airway restriction that show up as mouth breathing or restless sleep. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven, when enough permanent teeth have typically erupted to detect early signs of jaw problems, crowding, or teeth emerging out of position. Because Dr. Wengler evaluates the whole picture rather than teeth in isolation, a consultation often uncovers connections between crowding and airway health that a straightforward alignment check might miss.
Jaw and airway development are deeply intertwined, and a narrow palate or crowded arch can restrict the space available for a child to breathe comfortably through the nose during sleep. Dr. Wengler’s training in airway-focused orthodontics means she looks beyond crooked teeth to ask whether a child’s oral structure is supporting healthy sleep and breathing patterns, not just a straight smile.
Most of a child’s jaw growth happens before age six, which makes the mixed dentition window a uniquely effective time to guide that development rather than fight against it later. Waiting until all permanent teeth erupt can mean a smaller palate has already set the stage for crowding, and by that point, treatment options often shift from guiding growth to correcting it, sometimes requiring extractions or more invasive orthodontic work.
For children who need additional arch expansion alongside their aligners, Dr. Wengler also offers a removable palate expander that works in coordination with Invisalign First, allowing treatment to support natural jaw development rather than override it.
Every Invisalign First journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation where Dr. Wengler reviews jaw growth patterns, airway function, and bite alignment before recommending a course of treatment. Because Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway is out-of-network by choice, families receive full transparency about materials, timelines, and costs upfront, without pressure toward treatments that aren’t genuinely needed.
Parents considering treatment often want to understand what makes the day-to-day experience manageable for a young child. A few features tend to stand out during that conversation:
Once treatment begins, most children adjust quickly, and follow-up visits are typically brief since there are no wires to tighten or adjust.
Dr. Wengler brings a combination of pediatric dental training, a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences, and dedicated airway health training to every Invisalign First evaluation, giving families a more complete picture than a straight-teeth assessment alone. Her private, sensory-conscious treatment rooms also make evaluations more comfortable for children who feel anxious in clinical settings, an approach families throughout Castle Hills and greater San Antonio have come to rely on. You can read more about her background and training on her provider profile.
Because every child’s growth pattern is different, Dr. Wengler never recommends Invisalign First as a default option. Instead, she walks parents through exactly what she’s observing in their child’s development and why a particular approach, or no treatment at all, makes the most sense right now.
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.
With 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.
If you’ve noticed crowding, mouth breathing, or restless sleep in your child, an early evaluation can clarify whether Invisalign First is the right next step, or offer reassurance that everything is developing as it should. Dr. Wengler’s whole-child approach means you’ll leave with a clear understanding of your child’s growth pattern rather than a one-size-fits-all recommendation.
To schedule a consultation with Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway today, please reach out through the online contact form or use the online booking link to get started. Dr. Wengler and her team look forward to partnering with your family to support your child’s healthy growth and development for years to come.
