Table 2 Difference in pain scores between groups and across time

One surface cavities (n = 86)

 Baseline

18.33 (11.28)^a

18.29 (10.22)^a

 1 month

3.67 (6.16)^b

5.85 (7.15)^b

 6 months

2.33 (4.88)^b

4.88 (6.66)^b

 P value

< 0.001*

< 0.001*

 Percent reduction

89.53 (23.78)

79.41 (29.49)

Multi- surface cavities (n = 76)

 Baseline

27.3 (9.9)^a

29.49 (10.5)^a

 1 month

8.11 (7.11)^b

13.46 (8.75)^b

 6 months

7.43 (7.32)^b

12.82 (9.23)^b

 P value

 < 0.001*

 < 0.001*

 Percent reduction

72.07 (31.67)

58.93 (27.91)

All cavities (n = 162)

 Baseline

22.38 (11.53)^a

23.75 (11.73)^a

 1 month

5.67 (6.93)^b

9.56 (8.79)^b

 6 months

4.63 (6.56)^b

8.75 (8.9)^b

 P value

 < 0.001*

< 0.001*

 Percent reduction

81.55 (28.84)

69.43 (30.35)