Pulp-dentin biology in restorative dentistry. Part 2: initial reactions to preparation of teeth for restorative procedures.

Pulpal complications involving inflammation, degradation, and necrosis are the result of a series of traumatic injuries. The restorative dentist must minimize the trauma to dentin and pulp inflicted during clinical procedures, including that inflicted during tooth preparation. Part 11 of this series discusses the structural and physiologic changes in the pulp-dentin complex that result from crown and cavity preparation and the clinical implication of these changes.