Dental Exams & X-Rays in Burke, VA

Thorough Exams. Advanced Imaging. Problems Caught Early.

A comprehensive dental exam is the foundation of every healthy smile. At Shield Dental Care in Burke, VA, Dr. Pejman Ghorbani and our team use a combination of hands-on evaluation and advanced digital imaging to give you a complete picture of your oral health — and catch potential problems before they become painful or expensive.
Whether it’s your first visit or your twentieth, every exam is thorough, unhurried, and tailored specifically to you.

What to Expect During a Dental Exam

Your dental exam at Shield Dental Care goes well beyond a quick look at your teeth. During your visit, we evaluate:

  • Teeth: Checking every surface for signs of decay, cracks, chips, or wear
  • Gums: Measuring pocket depths and assessing tissue health for early signs of gum disease
  • Bite and jaw alignment: Looking for signs of grinding, clenching, or TMJ concerns
  • Existing dental work: Evaluating the condition of fillings, crowns, bridges, and other restorations
  • Soft tissues: Screening the tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, and throat for abnormalities as part of our oral cancer screening
  • Overall patterns: Noting changes since your last visit that could signal developing issues

We take the time to explain our findings clearly, so you always know exactly where your oral health stands and what — if anything — needs attention.

Digital X-Rays: Safer, Faster, More Accurate

Digital x-rays are an essential part of a comprehensive exam because they reveal what the eye alone can’t see. At Shield Dental Care, we use state-of-the-art digital radiography that provides:

  • Up to 90% less radiation than traditional film x-rays
  • Instant results — images appear on-screen in seconds, with no chemical processing
  • Enhanced detail — digital images can be enlarged, adjusted, and color-enhanced for better diagnosis
  • Early detection of cavities between teeth, infections below the gumline, bone loss, impacted teeth, and cysts

We also use advanced 3D imaging technology for complex cases like dental implant planning and surgical evaluation, giving us a level of precision that traditional x-rays simply can’t match.

Our team follows the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), meaning we take only the x-rays that are clinically necessary for your care.

How Often Should You Get a Dental Exam?

For most patients, we recommend a comprehensive exam every six months, paired with your professional cleaning. This schedule allows us to monitor changes over time and catch issues at the earliest possible stage.

Some patients may benefit from more frequent exams, including those with:

  • A history of gum disease or periodontal treatment
  • Higher cavity risk due to diet, dry mouth, or medical conditions
  • Ongoing orthodontic treatment
  • Recent dental implants, crowns, or other restorations

Dr. Ghorbani will recommend the schedule that’s right for your individual needs.

Exams for Children vs. Adults

Dental exams look a little different depending on your age:

For children, we focus on monitoring tooth development, checking for alignment concerns, evaluating cavity risk, and recommending preventive treatments like fluoride and sealants. We also make the experience positive and comfortable — because how kids feel about the dentist now shapes their habits for life.

For adults, exams center on maintaining existing dental work, monitoring gum health, screening for oral cancer, and catching wear patterns from grinding or aging. We also evaluate how your oral health connects to overall wellness, including conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Why Early Detection Matters

Many dental problems develop silently. A small cavity doesn’t hurt. Early gum disease often has no visible symptoms. A hairline crack in a molar can go unnoticed for months.

By the time you feel something, the problem has usually progressed — requiring more extensive treatment, more time in the chair, and more out-of-pocket cost.

Regular exams give us the opportunity to find and address these issues when they’re smallest, simplest, and least expensive to treat. It’s one of the most valuable investments you can make in your long-term oral health.

Schedule Your Dental Exam

Due for a checkup? Schedule your comprehensive exam at Shield Dental Care in Burke, VA. Our team will make sure you leave with a clear understanding of your oral health and a plan to keep your smile strong.

Dental exams are a core part of our preventive dentistry approach — because protecting your smile starts with knowing exactly where it stands.

Call us today: 703-250-5072

testimonials

What Our Patients Are Saying

  • Dr Ghorbani is the very best dentist hands down His knowledge is multi-faceted and his skills are precise Thank you Read More

  • This office continues to impress me The entire staff is so polite and they always have a positive attitude when Read More

  • I have had the good fortune of having Dr Ghorbani as my dentist for over years He has taken great Read More

  • I have been with Shield Dental Care for a few years now and I have always had a wonderful experience Read More

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  • We have been patients of Dr Ghorbani for nearly years He s great with adults and children Both of my Read More

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  • My family and I have been clients of Shield Dental for years We even travel from MD Dr G is Read More

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  • I ve been a patient here for several years and am always pleased with the professional and friendly staff Dr Read More

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  • Cannot say enough positive things about Shield Had another pain free and thorough cleaning from Chelsea Fiorese She s the Read More

  • My visit today was amazing Dr Ghorbani was fantastic as always He is extremely knowledgeable and ensured all of my Read More

  • The care at Shield Dental Care is exceptional I trust their recommendations to keep my teeth healthy and looking good Read More

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  • I have been going to this office since they opened up so I can say this with complete sincerity That Read More

  • Hands down the BEST dentist around Dr Ghorbani is not only personable but extremely talented The girls at the front Read More

  • By FAR the best dentist I ve ever been to I used to be very nervous of going to the Read More

  • I ve been coming to shield since they first opened I have told numerous friends and family about how wonderful Read More

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  • Literally if you are middle class or a real human being you are going to the right place It is Read More

  • Dr Ghorbani makes going to the dentist easy and his assistants and office staff are so nice.

  • The office staff at Shield Dental are always welcoming polite and so friendly I have seen Dr G for many Read More

  • An outstanding experience I had a dental emergency while only in town for a couple of days Dr Ghorbani went Read More

  • Dr Lina Aljarah is one of Northern Virginia's best dentists I did not feel anything Mainly I have a phobia Read More

  • Efficient and very helpful with scheduling Professional and personal Questions are completely answered Good education on helping my dental care Read More

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  • The staff at Shield Dental is friendly polite and knowledgeable I am confident that I am getting the best care Read More

  • Shield dental is the best dentist Chelsea is an amazing hygienist she gets your teeth clean without it being uncomfortable Read More

  • Very impressive dental office The hygienist was wonderful and very non-judgmental The dentist used state-of-the-art techniques to fill my cavity Read More

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  • My son needed all wisdom teeth removed and Dr Ghorbani and his team did a wonderful job of relaxing both Read More

  • I am so impressed with Shield Dental Care Everyone there was so friendly and welcoming Dr Pejman Ghorbani was amazing Read More

  • I have dental anxiety and everyone at Shield Dental was wonderful The front desk staff are incredibly friendly and helpful Read More

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  • We love Shield The dentist and Chelsea are fantastic I used to avoid the dentist after bad experiences but they Read More

  • First time coming here and I enjoyed every second of it The staff is so nice and welcoming They make Read More

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