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

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

demanding – 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 three and will fall out later as permanent teeth begin to erupt in their place

dental implant – a 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 – a 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 diagnostic evaluation

diastema – the space between two adjacent teeth

discectomy – removal of intra-articular disc from a joint

displaced tooth – a 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