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.
San Antonio parents searching for a palate expander for their child now have a specialist who treats the whole picture. At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, palate expansion is not just an orthodontic procedure — it is an early intervention tool that shapes how your child breathes, sleeps, and develops. Dr. Christi Wengler is a Board Certified Diplomate and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry with advanced training in airway-focused orthodontics.
A narrow palate restricts tongue posture, forces mouth breathing, crowds permanent teeth, and can disrupt sleep quality for years. The earlier we identify and address it, the more we can accomplish with conservative, non-surgical treatment — and the less your child will need later.
A palate expander works by gradually widening the upper jaw using gentle, consistent pressure. As the jaw widens, new bone forms in the gap — a natural process that creates space for permanent teeth and improves the width of the airway. Most children experience minimal discomfort, and the results during active growth years are far more predictable than attempting correction in adulthood.
Dr. Wengler uses removable palate expanders compatible with Invisalign First for children with mixed dentition, allowing treatment to work with your child’s natural development rather than against it. For teenagers, we coordinate palate expansion as part of a comprehensive airway-focused orthodontic plan.
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.
This is the ideal window for palate expansion. The midpalatal suture is still open and responsive to gentle pressure, meaning results are faster, more stable, and achieved without surgery. Treatment can:
Treatment duration is typically 9–18 months depending on the degree of expansion needed and individual growth rate.
Expansion is still highly effective in the early teen years before the midpalatal suture fully fuses. For teenagers, we integrate palate expansion with comprehensive orthodontic planning to ensure alignment, airway function, and facial development are all addressed together.
A narrow palate does more than crowd teeth — it restricts the airway. Children with narrow palates often breathe through their mouths, snore, wake frequently at night, and struggle with focus and behavior during the day. These are not discipline problems or coincidences. They are frequently signs of an airway that isn’t getting enough room.
Palate expansion creates space for the tongue to rest properly, which supports nasal breathing and reduces the airway restriction that drives these symptoms. Dr. Wengler’s sleep-disordered breathing screening identifies these connections at every visit — and when expansion is needed, we act during the window when it makes the biggest difference.
Dr. Wengler conducts a comprehensive assessment that includes evaluation of your child’s jaw width, tooth crowding, tongue posture, breathing patterns, and sleep quality. For children four and older, we use a pediatric sleep questionnaire to identify airway concerns that may be connected to a narrow palate.
Every palate expander treatment plan is built around your child’s individual growth stage, degree of narrowing, and airway profile. We explain all options, timelines, and what to expect at each stage before any treatment begins.
Depending on the appliance, expansion is achieved through gradual adjustments over several months. We schedule regular progress visits every 6–8 weeks to monitor bone formation, tooth movement, and airway improvement. Most children adapt quickly and report minimal discomfort after the first few days.
Once the target expansion is achieved, the appliance is maintained in place to allow new bone to fully mineralize — typically 3–6 months. We then transition to a retainer phase and continue monitoring growth and development as part of your child’s ongoing holistic dental care.
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.
Invisalign treatment represents an investment in your child’s confidence, health, and lifelong well-being. Our comprehensive approach addresses not only tooth alignment but also airway function, sleep quality, and facial development that benefit your child throughout their lifetime.
Flexible Payment Options:
Insurance Coverage: Many dental insurance plans provide orthodontic benefits that can be applied to Invisalign treatment. Our team verifies your benefits and maximizes your coverage while ensuring you understand all costs upfront.
Value of Early Treatment: Early intervention with Invisalign First often reduces the need for more extensive treatments later, making it a cost-effective investment in your child’s long-term oral health and development.
Most children are good candidates for palate expansion between ages 6 and 14, while the midpalatal suture is still open. The earlier we start, the faster and more stable the results — and the less likely your child will need extractions or more complex treatment later. Dr. Wengler assesses each child individually during a comprehensive evaluation.
Most children experience mild pressure or slight soreness for 1–2 days after each adjustment, which passes quickly. The expander itself becomes comfortable within the first week as your child adapts to it. We take the time to walk both you and your child through exactly what to expect so there are no surprises.
Yes. Removable expanders can be taken out for contact sports, and we can provide guidance on the best approach for your child’s specific activity level. Unlike fixed metal expanders, the removable appliances we use at Wellness Pediatric Dentistry are designed with active children in mind.
Yes — often significantly. When the palate widens, the airway widens with it. Children who were mouth breathing, snoring, or sleeping restlessly frequently show improvement in sleep quality as the nasal passage opens up. This is one of the most meaningful outcomes of early palate expansion, and one of the reasons Dr. Wengler screens every child for airway concerns as part of routine care.
The gap that sometimes appears between the front teeth during expansion is completely normal and temporary. It is a sign that the expansion is working — new bone is forming in the midpalatal suture. The gap typically closes on its own within a few months as adjacent teeth naturally drift back together.
Palate expansion is one of the most effective ways to create space without removing teeth. By widening the jaw during active growth, we can often avoid the need for extractions that would otherwise be recommended once all permanent teeth have erupted. Early evaluation is key — the best results happen during the window when bone is still forming.
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.
