Indirect pulp capping is used to achieve what outcome in deep lesions?

• A. Expose the pulp to encourage bleeding
• B. Protect the pulp by sealing remaining carious dentin and stimulating healing
• C. Replace dentin with gold foil
• D. Abrade dentin to remove all tissue

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to protect the pulp when a lesion is deep by placing a protective layer over a thin remainder of carious dentin and then sealing it with a definitive restoration. This approach keeps the pulp healthy by isolating the remaining carious dentin from bacterial leakage and stimulating the dentin–pulp complex to heal, typically forming tertiary dentin or a dentin bridge. By avoiding pulp exposure, the vitality of the tooth is preserved and inflammation is minimized, which is especially important in deep lesions where direct exposure would risk pulp necrosis. Choices that imply deliberately exposing the pulp, removing all tissue, or replacing dentin with another material do not reflect the goal of indirect pulp capping, which is protection and healing through sealing the residual dentin.