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.
At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry, we understand that some children need additional support to feel comfortable and safe during dental procedures. Dr. Wengler’s extensive training in pediatric sedation allows us to offer multiple safe options, from mild relaxation to general anesthesia for children, ensuring every child receives the care they need in the most comfortable way possible. Our holistic approach to sedation combines advanced safety protocols with natural comfort techniques and individualized care planning.
As a board-certified pediatric dentist with specialized sedation training, Dr. Wengler prioritizes safety above all else while creating positive dental experiences that preserve your child’s trust and confidence. We carefully evaluate each child’s medical history, anxiety level, treatment needs, and family preferences to recommend the most appropriate sedation option for optimal comfort and safety.
Every child is unique, and their sedation needs vary based on age, medical history, anxiety level, treatment complexity, and individual temperament. Dr. Wengler’s comprehensive approach includes thorough pre-sedation evaluation, careful monitoring throughout treatment, and detailed recovery protocols to ensure the highest level of safety and comfort for every child.
Our sedation protocols follow the most current safety guidelines while incorporating holistic principles that support your child’s overall wellness. We use the minimum level of sedation necessary to provide comfortable care, always prioritizing your child’s safety and well-being while achieving excellent treatment results.
Nitrous oxide is our mildest sedation option, providing gentle relaxation while allowing children to remain fully conscious and responsive:
Benefits of Nitrous Oxide:
Ideal Candidates:
Safety Features:
For children who need deeper relaxation, we offer carefully prescribed oral conscious sedation medications that provide enhanced comfort while maintaining safety:
Oral Sedation Characteristics:
Appropriate Situations:
Safety Protocols:
For children requiring deeper sedation, Dr. Wengler provides IV sedation with comprehensive monitoring and safety protocols:
IV Sedation Benefits:
When IV Sedation is Recommended:
Advanced Safety Measures:
For the most complex cases or children with significant special needs, we coordinate with pediatric anesthesiologists to provide general anesthesia in hospital or surgical center settings:
General Anesthesia Indications:
Comprehensive Care Coordination:
Dr. Wengler’s extensive experience with special needs children allows us to customize sedation approaches for children with autism, sensory processing disorders, and other developmental considerations:
Specialized Approaches:
Environmental Modifications:
Children with medical conditions require specialized sedation planning and coordination with their healthcare team:
Medical Coordination:
Different ages require different sedation approaches and safety considerations:
Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2-5):
School-Age Children (Ages 6-12):
Teenagers (Ages 13-18):
Advanced monitoring, emergency protocols, and Dr. Wengler's specialized training ensure the highest level of safety for every sedation level, from mild nitrous oxide to general anesthesia.
Sedation options carefully matched to each child's unique needs, medical history, anxiety level, and treatment requirements for optimal comfort and outcomes.
Appropriate sedation helps create positive dental memories, reducing anxiety about future visits and building lifelong healthy relationships with dental care.
Before any sedation, we conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure safety:
Pre-Sedation Assessment:
Specific instructions help ensure optimal sedation safety and effectiveness:
Pre-Sedation Instructions:
Clear procedures ensure a smooth sedation experience:
Arrival and Preparation:
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.
All children receive careful monitoring during recovery until they meet discharge criteria:
Recovery Protocols:
Detailed instructions ensure safe, comfortable recovery at home:
Home Care Instructions:
We maintain communication with families throughout the recovery period:
Ongoing Support:
Dr. Wengler evaluates your child’s age, medical history, anxiety level, treatment complexity, and individual temperament to recommend the most appropriate sedation option. We discuss all possibilities with families and consider your preferences and concerns when making the final decision for optimal safety and comfort.
Yes, when performed by properly trained pediatric dentists with appropriate monitoring and emergency protocols. Dr. Wengler’s specialized training in pediatric sedation and our comprehensive safety measures ensure excellent safety records. We use the minimum sedation necessary and maintain the highest safety standards throughout treatment.
This depends on the sedation level used. With nitrous oxide, children typically remember the procedure but feel relaxed and comfortable. Deeper sedation levels often result in little or no memory of treatment, which can be beneficial for anxious children or those with previous traumatic dental experiences.
Recovery time varies by sedation type. Nitrous oxide clears within minutes, allowing immediate normal activities. Oral sedation may require several hours of supervision at home. IV sedation typically requires a few hours of recovery with a gradual return to normal activities. We provide specific recovery instructions for each sedation level.
Absolutely. Dr. Wengler has extensive experience providing safe sedation for children with autism, sensory processing disorders, and other special needs. We customize our approach based on each child’s individual requirements and work closely with families and other healthcare providers to ensure optimal care.
We maintain comprehensive emergency equipment, including advanced airway management tools, cardiac monitoring, oxygen delivery systems, and emergency medications. Dr. Wengler maintains current certifications in pediatric advanced life support and regularly updates emergency protocols to ensure immediate response capability if needed.
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.
