Preserving the vital pulp in operative dentistry: 3. Thickness of remaining cavity dentine as a key mediator of pulpal injury and repair responses.

Confusion surrounds the pivotal role played by the remaining dentine thickness in a cavity in determining pulpal injury and repair response outcomes after restorative treatment. The multifactorial nature of the injury repair response requires that attention is focused on the most important factors, including remaining dentine thickness, to harness the natural regenerative properties of the pulp and to avoid postoperative treatment complications.