The excavation endpoint is determined by which factors and stopped immediately when which condition is reached?

• A. Lesion colour; depth of dentin
• B. Lesion texture (not colour); leathery/firm affected dentin
• C. Radiographic density; pulp exposure
• D. Caries hardness; enamel thickness

Answer: (B)

In minimally invasive caries removal, the endpoint of excavation is guided by how the dentin feels rather than how it looks. You remove the soft, mushy, infected dentin and continue until the remaining dentin becomes leathery to firm on probing. This texture change signals that you’ve reached the affected dentin that can still be remineralized and sealed without risking pulp exposure. Color alone is not a reliable indicator of activity or when to stop, because discoloration can occur for reasons like dehydration or staining and does not accurately reflect the presence of active bacteria. Stopping at leathery or firm dentin preserves tooth structure and helps maintain pulpal vitality while ensuring the caries has been managed.