A 20-year-old male patient complains of spontaneous pain in the 24 tooth, which arose suddenly and persists for about 15 minutes at a time. Objectively: the distal surface of the 24 tooth exhibits a deep carious cavity with overhanging walls. The cavity is filled with light-colored softened dentin and communicates with the tooth cavity. The cold stimulus causes acute, slowly abating pain. Percussion causes no pain response. Select the best method of treatment: