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.
Many parents assume orthodontic treatment is something to think about years down the road, once all of a child’s permanent teeth have come in. But for children with certain bite or spacing issues, waiting can mean missing the window when the jaw is easiest to guide. Invisalign First was created for exactly this stage, helping children in the early years of mixed dentition build a healthier foundation for the smile that is still forming.
Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway serves families throughout Shavano Park and the surrounding San Antonio area. Dr. Christi Wengler is a Board-Certified Diplomate and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry with a background in nutritional sciences and airway health. Her approach to Invisalign First considers more than tooth position alone, looking at how the jaw is developing and how early treatment today can support your child’s health near Shavano Park for years to come.
Invisalign First is a clear aligner system built for children as young as six, during the mixed dentition phase when baby teeth and permanent teeth are both present in the mouth. Because young jaws still have shorter tooth crowns and teeth that are actively erupting, the aligners include a feature called Eruption Compensation, which allows the trays to keep working even as new teeth come in and baby teeth fall out.
This is different from waiting for comprehensive treatment later. Invisalign First falls under what is sometimes called early or interceptive treatment, meaning it addresses specific problems while a child still has room to grow. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, issues that often respond well to early treatment include crowded or excessively spaced teeth, underbites, crossbites, and a jaw that shifts to one side when the teeth come together. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic screening by age 7, since enough permanent teeth have typically erupted by then to catch these problems early.
Choosing a board-certified pediatric dentist for early aligner therapy means the evaluation goes beyond counting crowded teeth. Our office looks at jaw growth, bite function, and airway development to determine whether Invisalign First is the right fit for your child, and whether any supportive treatment should be part of the plan. Every recommendation is explained clearly so you understand what to expect at each stage, with full transparency so you can make an informed decision for your family.
Invisalign First connects closely to our airway-focused orthodontics approach. The early mixed dentition years are a critical window for jaw development, and addressing a narrow arch or bite problem now, rather than waiting until growth has finished, can affect breathing, sleep, and long-term dental stability. For some children, treatment works alongside a palate expander that widens the upper arch to create room before permanent teeth fully erupt. Dr. Wengler evaluates each child individually to determine whether expansion belongs in the plan.
Families from Shavano Park choose our practice because they want care that reflects a thoughtful, wellness-centered philosophy rather than a rushed approach. We take the time to explain why early intervention matters for a specific child and what the treatment path looks like from start to finish. Parents at our practice have the right to ask questions and understand what is involved in any recommended treatment before moving forward.
Invisalign First can also help simplify what comes later. Common signs parents notice at home include the following.
Bringing any of these to your child's next visit gives us a chance to evaluate early, before a simple fix becomes a more complex one. For teenagers who need clear aligner treatment once more permanent teeth have erupted, we also offer Invisalign Teen, which builds on the foundation early treatment can establish.
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.
Dr. Wengler is a San Antonio native who attended Churchill High School and earned her dental degree from the University of Texas Health San Antonio. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences, is a Certified Lactation Counselor, and spent 11 years in the United States Air Force, including four years stationed in Germany. As a Board-Certified Diplomate and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, she brings advanced training and a genuine commitment to whole-child care to every patient she sees.
If your child may be a candidate for early aligner therapy, we would love to meet your family. Schedule a new patient exam and take the first step toward guiding your child’s smile in the right direction by reaching out through our contact page.
Invisalign First is designed for children as young as six, during the early mixed dentition stage when both baby teeth and permanent teeth are present. Every child develops on a different timeline, so Dr. Wengler evaluates jaw growth, tooth eruption, and bite function individually before recommending early treatment for families near Shavano Park.
Signs worth mentioning at your next visit include a visibly narrow or crowded arch, a shifting bite, ongoing thumb or pacifier habits, or mouth breathing during sleep. Families near Shavano Park are welcome to bring any of these concerns to a comprehensive evaluation, where Dr. Wengler can determine whether Invisalign First or another approach is the right fit.
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.
