Dear Doctor,
I have just returned from a visit to the dentist and am turning to you because at the office I did not receive an adequate explanation of today's treatment. My condition was caries on the lower right first molar distally and the second molar mesially. The dentist drilled first the first molar and then the second molar in order to make a completely ordinary filling. When he was almost finished and only wanted to grind the occlusal surface, he suddenly panicked a little and began telling the assistant to quickly, quickly mix something on a sterile plate with sterile instruments because “the pulp had come to the surface.” I felt pain despite the mandibular block.
I would like to know what actually happened and what the possible consequences are. Does the inside of the tooth regenerate over time so that later there are no problems because of this? Can I expect inflammation?
Thank you for your kindness.

Dear Sir/Madam!

Based on what you have written, I believe the carious process destroyed the entire thickness of the dentin, which the dentist had to attempt to remove. During the procedure, the dental pulp was exposed. The dentist tried to cover the small defect with a material we use for direct pulp capping. The purpose of the procedure is to protect the pulp from the external environment and to stimulate the formation of reparative dentin, which will finally separate the pulp from the cavity containing the filling. You do not need to expect problems, although it is true that the pulp can respond to relatively severe stress with inflammation. Three quarters of pulpitis cases (inflammations) proceed asymptomatically (without pain), but all of them result in pulp necrosis. In this case, root canal treatment is necessary, during which dead tissue is removed from the root canals and the canals are filled with a synthetic material.

Have a nice day!