Clinical threshold for carious tissue removal.

There would appear to be little logic in the current practice of caries removal. Biologically, it would appear to be potentially damaging even to attempt to remove all infected dentin in a symptomless, vital tooth. It is neither possible nor necessary to achieve this. The evidence would seem to show that, provided a restoration is placed that seals the cavity, infected dentin may be left. It does not prejudice pulpal health, and the caries lesion does not progress. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.