The extent of the response depends on the quantity of
bacterial irritants that reach the pulp at a given point. It
is also a function of distance. Consequently, while still in
the periphery, bacteria will release substances that will
have to travel much further than in a lesion close to the
pulp. However, the distance factor is generally of lesser
significance when reactive processes in terms of intratubular
mineralizations (dentinal sclerosis) have emerged.
Dentinal sclerosis makes the involved dentinal tubules
more or less impermeable. It is caused by increased secretion
of peritubular dentin that becomes highly mineralized
and by reprecipitation of mineral crystals that were
dissolved by acids in the carious lesion