When caries is thought to extend close to, or into the pulp, excavation of the pulpal caries can be stopped at stained but firm dentine.31 Calcium hydroxide lining is applied over the pulpal dentine prior to placement of the definitive restoration. This is classically referred to as the indirect pulp cap. The difficulty with this technique is knowing how rapid the carious process has been, how much tertiary dentine has been formed and knowing exactly when to stop excavating to avoid pulp exposure. Using a stepwise approach to caries removal these parameters can be regulated with a more predictable outcome.