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.
For many children, the dental chair feels less like a place of care and more like a source of overwhelming fear. Whether your child has high dental anxiety, sensory processing differences, or simply needs extensive restorative work, completing treatment safely and comfortably may require something beyond a gentle voice and a distraction toy. IV sedation offers a deeply effective solution for children who need a higher level of support to get through dental procedures calmly and without distress.
At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry, we offer IV sedation as part of a broader, thoughtful approach to sedation dentistry that puts your child’s comfort and safety first. As San Antonio’s first holistic pediatric dental practice, we believe every family deserves full transparency about what goes into their child’s care, including how sedation works, when it’s appropriate, and what to expect before and after the procedure. Our goal is to empower you with the information you need to make the right choice for your child.
IV sedation delivers sedative medication directly into the bloodstream through a small intravenous line, allowing the dentist to carefully control the depth of sedation throughout the procedure. Unlike nitrous oxide or oral sedation, IV sedation works more quickly and can be adjusted in real time based on your child’s response and the complexity of the treatment.
Children receiving IV sedation remain in a deeply relaxed or sleep-like state while still breathing on their own. They are monitored continuously by a trained anesthesia provider throughout the entire visit, and they generally have little to no memory of the procedure afterward.
IV sedation is not the starting point for every child. We approach sedation decisions the same way we approach all care at our practice: with full transparency, individualized assessment, and a genuine conversation with you about what makes the most sense for your child.
IV sedation may be a strong option in the following cases:
A consultation and thorough medical history review will always come before any sedation recommendation. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry outlines guidelines recommending that a separate licensed anesthesia provider administer and monitor deep sedation, which is the team-based model we follow to keep your child safe.
Our practice is rooted in a minimally invasive, whole-child philosophy. We do not recommend IV sedation unless it is genuinely the most appropriate option for your child’s needs. Before recommending this level of care, we explore every other option, including special-needs-focused behavior guidance, nitrous oxide, and oral sedation.
When IV sedation is the right choice, we approach it thoughtfully. Dr. Christi Wengler brings a background in nutritional sciences and airway-focused training to every patient interaction, which means sedation planning takes your child’s airway health, overall wellness, and development into account, not just the dental work that needs to be done.
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.
Preparation is key to a safe and smooth experience. Before the appointment, we will provide you with detailed pre-operative instructions, including fasting guidelines, which are essential for your child’s safety during sedation. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and review all risks, benefits, and alternatives so you feel fully informed going in.
During the procedure, your child will be continuously monitored by a licensed anesthesia professional. Vital signs, including heart rate, oxygen levels, and breathing rate, will be monitored throughout. Once the dental work is complete, your child will be moved to a recovery area where they will be monitored until they are alert enough to go home safely.
Following the appointment, most children feel drowsy for several hours. You will receive clear post-operative care instructions, and our team is available to answer any questions during your child’s recovery. A follow-up exam or check-in may be scheduled to assess healing and comfort.
IV sedation is one part of a much larger commitment to your child’s lifelong oral health. After treatment, we focus on building the kind of positive pediatric dental experiences that make future visits easier and less stressful. Our practice emphasizes education, prevention, and early intervention so that extensive treatment becomes less necessary over time.
We also offer comprehensive restorative dentistry using biocompatible, BPA-free materials, so even when a child needs significant dental work under sedation, we use materials aligned with a holistic approach to their health. Parents always receive full information about what materials are used and why.
When your child needs dental care that goes beyond what standard visits can provide, Wellness Pediatric Dentistry is here to help you navigate your options with clarity and confidence. Dr. Wengler is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry with advanced training in airway health, nutritional wellness, and sedation care, and she is committed to making sure every recommendation is grounded in your child’s individual needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Flexible payment options, including Cherry and CareCredit financing and our in-house membership plan, are available to help make care accessible for your family. If you are ready to learn whether IV sedation is the right fit for your child, we invite you to reach out through our contact form to schedule a consultation.
