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debanding The removal of cemented orthodontic bands.

debonding The removal of bonded orthodontic attachments.

decompensation Orthodontic tooth movement to bring teeth into optimum position to their respective jaws in preparation for orthognathic surgery.

DDS or DMD Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine, two equivalent degrees awarded by dental schools to graduates of the doctoral dental program.

deep bite Excessive overbite; closed bite.

deformation Any change in the geometry (size and/or shape) of a body produced by the application of force.

dehiscence A clefting defect in the gingival margin.

dental plaque An adherent conglomeration of bacteria and organic matter on the teeth and related structures that is often the first stage in caries or periodontal disease.

dentition

primary dentition Teeth developed and erupted first in order of time.

transitional dentition The final phase of the transition from primary to permanent teeth, in which the primary molars and canines are in the process of shedding and the permanent successors are emerging.

adolescent dentition The dentition that is present after the normal loss of primary teeth and prior to cessation of growth that would affect orthodontic treatment.

adult dentition The dentition that is present after the cessation of growth that would affect orthodontic treatment.

 dentofacial deformity Dentofacial malformation characterized by disharmonies of size, form and function, malocclusion, cleft lip and palate and other skeletal or soft-tissue deformities, including various types of muscular dysfunction.

dentofacial orthopedics A synonym for orthodontics that more fully describes the scope of contemporary practice. See orthodontic.

developmental guidance See guidance.

diagnostic set up A laboratory procedure in which teeth are removed from the plaster cast and repositioned in wax. May be used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate alternative treatment plans, particularly when a tooth size discrepancy exists or when orthognathic surgery is required in addition to orthodontic treatment.

diastema A space between two teeth.

differential moment The application of different moments to adjacent teeth creating different tendencies to rotate with different equilibrium forces present.

digital image A rectangular array of numbers representing the gray scale of a radiograph or color shades of a color image.

digitization Conversion of any landmark of interest to numerical values on a two or three-dimensional coordinate system. The process allows for automatic measurement of landmark relationships and reduces the human error to landmark identification.

Diplomate A dental specialist who has achieved certification by the recognized Certification Board in that specialty, as attested by a diploma from the Board. See American Board of Orthodontics.

direct reimbursement A self-funded program in which the individual is reimbursed, based on a percentage of the cost of dental care. Allows beneficiaries to seek treatment from the dentist of their choice.

disclusion Separation of opposing occlusal surfaces as the mandible moves into different functional positions.

discrepancy Arch length deficiency. 

displacement Any movement of a particle or a body as a whole.

distal A direction oriented along the dental arch away from the dental midline; right or left in the anterior segment posteriorly in the buccal segments.

distal segment Synonymous with posterior segment.

distoclusion Lower teeth occluding distal to their normal relationship to the uppers, as in an Angle Class II malocclusion.

distoversion A term sometimes used to describe a tooth positioned distal (posterior) to its normal position.

distraction osteogenesis In dentistry a technique for lengthening of bones for the correction of bone defects in the craniofacial area and for the treatment of hypoplasias of the maxilla or the mandible.

DHMO (dental health maintenance organization) A legal entity that accepts responsibility and financial risk for providing specific services to a defined population during a defined period of time at a fixed cost. An organized system of healthcare delivery that provides comprehensive care to enrollees through designated providers. Enrollees are generally assessed a monthly payment for healthcare services and may be required to remain in the program for a specified amount of time.  See HMO.

dolichocephalic Long,narrow cranial form (cephalic index 75.9 or less); the opposite of brachycephalic.

dolichofacial A facial pattern characterized by a long, narrow face.

down-fracture In orthognathic surgery, a procedure in which all or part of the maxillary alveolar or basal bone is separated and/or broken away from the more superior elements of the midfacial skeleton.  See Le Fort 1.

Downs analysis A set of ten lateral cephalometric measures developed by William B. Downs for the purpose of evaluating dentofacial relationships.

drift See mesial drift.

dysfunction Partially impaired or abnormal function.