Decay see caries

Deciduous teeth (Baby teeth, milk teeth, primary teeth, first teeth) A child’s first set of teeth. There are twenty deciduous teeth in total, the first erupting after around seven and a half months and the final one erupting at around 24 months. (see teething). The permanent teeth eventually replace the deciduous teeth. This begins at around six or seven, with the final deciduous tooth being exfoliated (lost) at around ten or eleven. During this time the child is said to have a mixed dentition.

Dental hygienist a trained member of the dental team who will scale and polish teeth, give oral hygiene advice and fissure seal teeth. The hygienist’s role is in the treatment of periodontitis and gingivitis, and in the prevention of future dental disease. The hygienist must work to the prescription of a dentist who has first examined the patient, however does not need supervision. Registered and regulated by the General Dental Council in the UK.

Dental nurse Main role is assisting the dentist at the chairside. In many surgeries they may also undertake the role of receptionist and have administrative duties. There is a national exam (UK) which is recommended, however, currently there is no statutory requirement for dental nurses to be registered.

Dental technicians work mainly in commercial laboratories constructing dentures, crowns, bridges etc

Dental therapists work in the Community and Hospital Dental Services. Undertake same work as hygienists but can also restore and extract deciduous teeth.

Dentine The main portion of the tooth structure covered by enamel and surrounded by a layer of cementum along the root.

Dentures may be partial or complete. Complete or full dentures are necessary when there are no remaining natural teeth. Like partial dentures, they are removable and should be taken out at night. They are most commonly made from acrylic. Partial dentures are removable prosthesis which replace one or more missing teeth. These can either be only acrylic or they can be acrylic with a metal cobalt chromium base. This metal base also incorporates clasps which may aid in the retention of the plate. Alternatives include bridges or implants.

Denture Hygiene Instruction Dentures should be removed every night and stored in Milton (sodium hypochlorite 1%) if acrylic or Corsydol (chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2%) mouthwash if cobalt chromium (metal). Dentures should be cleaned daily with a toothbrush and soap.

Desensitisation See more by clicking here. May also refer to the application of a desensitising agent such as duraphat to reduce the sensitivity of exposed cementum or dentine.

Diastema The space between two teeth. Midline diastema refers to the space between the two top front teeth.

Digital Radiography The use of computer imaging rather than traditional radiographs. This has the advantage of reducing the radiation dose. Images can be enhanced easily and easily stored on computer file.

Disclosing tablets These aid in the identification of plaque both prior to and post tooth brushing. Especially good for children.

Distraction see What Helps.

Drill (Handpiece) A high-speed drill has a high pitch, sprays water and is used to remove old filling material and decayed or unwanted enamel. A slow-speed drill has a lower pitch and is used to remove decayed dentine. Both require different burs to cut.

Dry socket. (Alveolar osteitis) is an unpredictable complication in the healing of extraction wounds. It occurs after around 1-3% of extractions. It is more common following the extraction of a molar, particularly a lower molar and following difficult or surgical extractions. The highest incidence of dry socket follows the extraction of impacted lower wisdom teeth. It causes pain one day to one week after the extraction. Often there is a bad taste in the mouth and noticeable odour (halitosis) caused by trapped food debris. The extraction wound is extremely tender to touch and the pain is often described as being worse than toothache. DRY SOCKET can occur if the blood does not clot adequately in the extraction wound. This may occur if you have rinsed out too vigorously, drank a hot liquid or drank any alcohol soon after the extraction. Dry socket is much more common in smokers. Smoking also prolongs the time it takes for a dry socket to heal. DRY SOCKET may be treated by your dentist, who may rinse the debris out of the wound with a syringe and sometimes an artificial blood clot may be placed. Occasionally your dentist may have to re-clean the wound but it important to remember that often healing will take several days or even weeks. During this time you can aid healing by gently using a salty mouth rinse (a cup of luke warm water with a teaspoon of salt) or by using a chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash. DRY SOCKET is an unfortunate and painful complication, but will resolve with time and care.

Duraphat is a high concentration fluoride varnish manufactured by Colgate. It may be applied by the dentist or hygienist to reduce the sensitivity of teeth. (desensitisation)

Dysphagia This is the medical term for difficulty swallowing.