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26 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • November 2024 Braces are a rite of passage for American children. Dr. Manhal Eliliwi is on a mission to make sure the orth- odontic journey is a happy milestone for the patients he sees as a Board-certified orthodontist at Let's Smile Dental of Fredericksburg. Let's Smile is a multi-specialty practice that provides orthodontics, pediat- ric dentistry and oral surgery from nine locations in Fredericksburg and Northern Virginia. Dr. Eliliwi, or "Dr. Manny," as he's known to his patients, started his journey as an orthodontist in his home country of Syria, where he studied dentistry at the Damascus University School of Dental Medicine. He completed research at the Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Department of the Boston University School of Dental Medicine. From there, he went to Case Western University, where he completed his residency training and became a Board-certified orthodontist. Today, he loves the work he does leading patients through the orthodontic journey at Let's Smile. Here, Dr. Eliliwi talks about the benefits of working within Let's Smile's multi-spe- cialty offices, and addresses some of the most common questions parents have about orthodontic treatment for children. Let's Smile Dental makes orthodontics easy, with multiple specialties under one roof Q: What does the first orthodontic visit look like at Let's Smile? Dr. Eliliwi: The initial visit is a free consulta- tion with the patient and parents. It's really a chance to introduce the orthodontist to the child and give them peace of mind and a sense of what to expect. In this complimentary first visit, we take a panoramic X-ray and do a quick exam to check the relationship between the upper and lower teeth. We explain to the child and parents what we can see right now, and whether we need to make an intervention now or just keep monitoring as the adult teeth come in. Because we offer these free initial consulta- tions, I really encourage parents who have any question or concern about whether their child is ready for orthodontic treatment to set up an appointment to come see us. We can provide answers that will put your mind at ease. In Pursuit of the Perfect Smile WRITTEN BY EMILY FREELING