With early orthodontic intervention, we can catch and treat issues before they worsen and require more complex treatment.

Interceptive Orthodontics

As the name implies, interceptive orthodontics is designed to “intercept” or correct your child’s bite and jaw concerns while they still have baby teeth. It’s a proactive approach aimed at guiding their jaw development and making room for their permanent teeth.

With the goal of avoiding complex orthodontic treatment when they’re older, interceptive orthodontics is often recommended for children between the ages of 6 and 11.

At Summitview Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Dorantes and his skilled team monitor your child’s growth and development closely to ensure any concerns are addressed early. And when your child has orthodontic concerns best treated by a specialist, he’s happy to provide a referral.

What Treatment Options Are Available?

At Summitview Pediatric Dentistry, our goal is to provide quality care to every child we’re lucky enough to treat in our Yakima dental office. We believe interceptive orthodontic care is an essential part of their oral health journey. Here are some of the possible treatment options to help your child achieve the happy, healthy smile they deserve:

Palatal Expanders

Designed to widen your child’s upper jaw, palatal expanders can correct crowding and crossbites.

Partial Braces

For specific alignment concerns, partial braces can correct crowding or protruding teeth.

Space Maintainers

If your child loses a baby tooth too soon, a space maintainer keeps their other teeth from shifting.

Custom Appliances

When tongue thrusting or thumb sucking threatens your child’s oral health, a fixed dental device can help.

Removable Appliances

With a removable retainer, it’s easier to guide your child’s teeth or maintain space in their mouth.

Strategic Extraction

Strategically removing one or more baby teeth can help your child’s permanent teeth erupt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dental x-rays safe?

As a parent, nothing tugs at the heart more than wanting to protect your child from harm. The word radiation can sound scary, and it’s completely natural to feel a moment of worry when dental x-rays are mentioned. At Summitview Pediatric Dentistry, your child’s safety, comfort, and long-term health are always at the center of every decision, especially when it comes to diagnostic tools like dental x-rays.

The short answer is yes: dental x-rays are safe, especially when modern technology and pediatric-focused protocols are used. Our practice uses digital x-rays and panoramic x-rays, which significantly reduce radiation exposure compared to older film-based systems.

These images allow us to see what’s happening between teeth, below the gums, and in developing jaws, so we can catch issues early, often before your child feels any discomfort.

Why Digital and Panoramic X-Rays Are Trusted for Kids

Digital and panoramic x-rays are designed with children in mind and are only recommended when truly necessary. Benefits include:

Minimal radiation exposure, comparable to everyday environmental radiation
Fast image capture, reducing time and movement for young patients
High-quality images that help diagnose cavities, infections, and growth concerns early
Panoramic views that show the entire mouth in a single image, ideal for monitoring development

Schedule Your Child’s Safe, Stress-Free Dental Visit Today

Your peace of mind matters just as much as your child’s smile. If you have questions about dental x-rays or want to learn more about how we keep visits gentle and safe, our friendly team is here to help.

Contact Summitview Pediatric Dentistry today at (509) 966-4433 to schedule an appointment and experience pediatric dental care that’s rooted in trust, compassion, and modern technology.

The Importance of Interceptive Orthodontics

When your child still has some of their baby teeth, it might not seem necessary to discuss orthodontic treatment, so let’s look at how interceptive orthodontics can benefit your child’s overall well-being and oral health:

Minimizes treatment — With early correction, your child could avoid extensive orthodontic treatment when they get older. This can save them stress and save you money.
Guides jaw growth — Monitoring and correcting your child’s jaw development can fix skeletal issues and balance their facial structure, enhancing their appearance.
Creates needed space — Interceptive orthodontics can eliminate your child’s severe tooth crowding; a palatal expander can widen their arch and create space for permanent teeth.
Corrects harmful habits — If your child sucks their thumb or thrusts their tongue, early interceptive treatment can address and correct any issues caused by these habits.
Improves function — Once they get the treatment they need, your child can look forward to chewing properly, swallowing with ease, and speaking more clearly.

OUR TEAM

Dr. Carlos Dorantes DDS, MS

Dr. Carlos Dorantes received his dental degree from Francisco Marroquin University in Guatemala and practiced in his hometown for three years, focusing mainly on children’s dentistry. In 1999, Dr. Dorantes moved to Birmingham and began his specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Alabama Dental School (UAB). UAB’s Pediatric Dental Residency is a challenging 3-year dental school and hospital-based program; this gave Dr. Dorantes the unique opportunity to practice at the world-renowned Children’s Hospital of Alabama.

When he was not busy with patients or academic work, Dr. Dorantes worked ...

Quality Care for Your Little One’s Smile

If you’d like to learn more about interceptive orthodontics in Yakima, Sellah, Union Gap, Sunnyside, Granger, Zillah, or Prosser, we’re just a phone call away! Our experienced dental team will happily answer your questions and provide a timely referral when necessary.

We’ll manage your child’s care whenever possible, but if they should see a specialist, that’s what we’ll recommend.

To schedule a visit with us, please feel free to give us a call at (509) 966-4433.