After all ideal extensions have been established, all remaining caries is removed. Infected dentin must be removed while affected dentin is preserved.
Note pulpal and axial extensions are limited to just where the caries exist. All sound areas are left where the ideal extensions were originally placed.
Clinical judgment using color, texture, proximity to pulpal tissue, and reported symptoms is used to determine when complete removal of caries may be deferred. In these cases, an indirect pulp cap technique may be appropriate.
