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 – 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