DDS – Doctor of Dental Surgery, this degree is equivalent to DMD

Debridement – removal of plaque and calculus that is interfering with proper evaluation

Debanding – removal of cemented orthodontic bands from teeth

Debonding – removal of cemented orthodontic brackets from teeth

Decay – the destruction of tooth structure

Deciduous Teeth – also known as “baby” or “primary” teeth, these first teeth generally arrive between the ages of birth and 3 and will fall out later as permanent teeth begin to erupt in their place

Dental Implant – small cylinder, generally titanium, implanted into the upper or lower jawbone to anchor a dental appliance or restoration

Dentin – the hard inner layer of the tooth, just beneath the enamel, forms the bulk of the tooth structure

Dentistry – medical field characterized by the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and disorders of the teeth, mouth, gums, jaws, and other oral and maxillofacial areas by a trained and certified professional

Dentition – the arrangement of teeth within the mouth

Denture – set of one or more prosthetic teeth

Diagnostic Cast – impression used to aid in planning treatment

Diagnostic Imaging – photographs or radiographs taken for the purpose of diagnostic evaluation

Diastema – the space between two adjacent teeth

Discectomy – removal of intra-articular disc from a joint

Displaced Tooth – tooth that has grown or shifted into an incorrect placement within the mouth

Distal – part of the tooth furthest from the center of the arch

DMD – Doctor of Medical Dentistry, this degree is equivalent to DDS

Dressing – medicines, bandages, or other materials applied to a wound to promote healing

Dry Socket – painful localized inflammation of a tooth socket after extraction, caused by infection or loss of the blood clot needed for proper healing