Recibido: Diciembre 2006 Aceptado: Febrero 2007The present study is a review of the literature which focuses on the development of dental caries in the dentinopulpal complex. Progression of the carious lesion and its consequences to the pulp biology are emphasized since dentinal permeability and endotoxin penetration will bring about various pulpal reactions. The clinical viability of a partial removal of the carious dentin is questioned, given that the histopathologic changes are already present in the pulpal organ.