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.
Crooked teeth do more than affect a smile in photos. For many teenagers, noticeable spacing, crowding, or bite issues chip away at confidence during some of the most socially important years of their lives, making them hesitant to smile, laugh, or speak up in class.
At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, we help San Antonio families address these concerns with Invisalign Teen, a clear aligner system designed specifically for growing smiles. Dr. Christi Wengler combines her airway-focused orthodontic training with a whole-child approach, looking beyond straight teeth to consider how your teen’s jaw, bite, and breathing all work together as they continue to develop.
Invisalign treatment at Wellness Pediatric Dentistry goes beyond simply straightening teeth. As part of our airway-focused orthodontic approach, Dr. Wengler uses Invisalign First for younger children and traditional Invisalign for teenagers to support proper jaw development, improve breathing patterns, and create beautiful smiles that last a lifetime. Our holistic approach ensures that orthodontic treatment enhances your child’s overall health and wellness.
Dr. Wengler’s specialized training in airway-focused orthodontics allows her to identify how tooth alignment affects breathing, sleep quality, and facial development. By addressing these connections during treatment, we can optimize not only the appearance of your child’s smile but also their overall health and development during critical growth periods.
Many parents wait for an orthodontist referral before considering treatment, but pediatric dentists are often the first to notice early warning signs of crowding, bite misalignment, or airway concerns. Common reasons teens benefit from Invisalign Teen include crowded or overlapping teeth, gaps between teeth, an overbite or underbite, and jaws that appear narrow or underdeveloped for the size of the teeth coming in.
Research published in the journal Healthcare found that adolescents with greater orthodontic treatment needs reported significantly higher rates of self-consciousness and embarrassment tied to their smiles compared to peers with little or no treatment need. This reinforces something we see often in our Castle Hills office: addressing alignment early can support both a teen’s dental health and their day-to-day confidence.
Most jaw growth occurs before age six, making early orthodontic evaluation crucial for identifying potential issues. Invisalign First is specifically designed for children with developing teeth, allowing us to guide proper jaw growth while creating space for erupting permanent teeth. This early intervention approach often prevents the need for more complex treatments later.
For teenagers, Invisalign provides an aesthetic alternative to traditional braces while still achieving excellent results. The clear aligners are virtually invisible, removable for eating and cleaning, and compatible with active lifestyles. Our comprehensive approach ensures that treatment addresses not only tooth alignment but also airway function and long-term stability.
Clear aligners are virtually undetectable, allowing children and teens to feel confident about their appearance throughout treatment while maintaining their natural smile during social activities.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners can be removed for eating, brushing, and special occasions, making it easier to maintain excellent oral hygiene and enjoy favorite foods.
Smooth plastic aligners eliminate the discomfort and mouth irritation often associated with metal brackets and wires, making treatment more comfortable for active children and teens.
Invisalign First is specifically designed for children with mixed dentition (both baby and permanent teeth). This innovative treatment can:
Treatment Duration: Typically 12-18 months, depending on individual needs Compliance: Requires wearing aligners 20-22 hours daily for optimal results
Traditional Invisalign for teenagers addresses comprehensive orthodontic needs while supporting active lifestyles:
Treatment Duration: Typically 12-24 months, based on the complexity of the case Lifestyle Integration: Designed to work with busy teenage schedules and activities
Our Invisalign treatment integrates seamlessly with our airway-focused orthodontic philosophy. Dr. Wengler evaluates how tooth alignment affects:
Breathing Patterns: Proper tooth alignment supports optimal tongue posture, which is essential for nasal breathing and healthy airway function throughout life.
Sleep Quality: Correct jaw positioning and adequate tongue space can improve sleep quality by supporting open airways and reducing breathing disruptions during rest.
Facial Development: Guided orthodontic treatment during growth years can enhance facial symmetry and support proper proportions that contribute to both aesthetics and function.
Long-term Stability: By addressing underlying causes of misalignment, including breathing patterns and tongue posture, we create more stable, lasting results.
Dr. Wengler conducts a comprehensive evaluation, including:
Using advanced software, we create a detailed treatment plan showing:
For Parents and Patients:
Families throughout Castle Hills and the greater San Antonio area choose our practice because we treat orthodontic care as one piece of a larger wellness picture rather than an isolated cosmetic fix. Dr. Wengler is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences, giving her a broader lens on how nutrition, growth, and development all intersect with a teen’s smile.
As San Antonio’s first holistic pediatric dental practice, we remain out-of-network by choice so we can select biocompatible materials and take the time each family needs, rather than working around insurance-driven timelines. Our sensory-friendly private treatment rooms also make appointments more comfortable for teens who feel anxious about dental visits, an approach many parents tell us they cannot find elsewhere.
We also work with families to make treatment financially manageable. Options include CareCredit, Cherry financing, and our in-house membership plans, so cost does not have to stand between your teen and the confident smile they deserve.
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.
We can begin Invisalign First as early as age 6 for children with mixed dentition, while traditional Invisalign is typically appropriate for teens with most permanent teeth erupted. The ideal timing depends on your child’s individual development, which we assess during a comprehensive evaluation. Early treatment often prevents more complex issues later.
Compliance is crucial for successful treatment. We provide detailed education about the importance of wearing aligners 20-22 hours daily, offer compliance indicators built into the aligners, and work with families to establish routines that make wearing aligners a natural part of daily life. Regular check-ups allow us to monitor progress and provide encouragement.
Yes! Invisalign aligners are much safer for sports participation than traditional braces. While aligners should be worn during most activities, they can be removed for contact sports with a custom mouthguard if needed. The smooth plastic eliminates risk of mouth injuries from metal brackets and wires.
Our airway-focused approach uses Invisalign to create proper tongue space, support optimal jaw positioning, and guide facial development in ways that enhance breathing patterns. Proper tooth alignment often improves nasal breathing, sleep quality, and overall airway function throughout your child’s lifetime.
We provide detailed instructions for aligner care and have protocols for handling lost or damaged aligners. Depending on the timing of treatment, we may advance to the next aligner or order replacements. Our goal is to minimize any disruption to treatment progress while maintaining affordability for families.
One of Invisalign’s major advantages is easier oral hygiene compared to traditional braces. Aligners are removed for brushing and flossing, allowing normal home care routines. We provide specific guidance on cleaning aligners and maintaining excellent oral health throughout treatment using our preferred biocompatible products.
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.
