Papacarie was introduced into the cavity using the applicator and left for 40 seconds. A blunt excavator was used to remove the softened dentin. The remaining gel was removed using a cotton pellet. When there was no change in gel color, the cavity was considered caries free. The cavity was then filled with high viscosity glass ionomer cement (GIC) in an encapsulated form (Riva Self-Cure, SDI Limited, Bayswater, VIC, Australia). A mechanical mixer was used to mix the capsule for 10 seconds, the capsule was placed into the applicator to apply the GIC into the cavity. For occluso-proximal cavities, a matrix strip with a wooden wedge was used to provide the appropriate contour of the restoration. A gloved finger was used to apply pressure on the GIC for one minute and occlusion was checked and excess material was removed

Difference in pain was measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The scale is represented by a 100-mm-long horizontal line labeled "no pain" at one end and "worst pain" at the other end. Participants were asked to mark the place on the line representing their level of pain

Satisfaction with treatment was assessed using two questions: the first question was immediately following treatment: "Was the treatment carried out according to your expectations?" The second question was after 6 months" "Has the treatment solved the problem of your teeth?" Each question was answered on a 10-point scale, with lower values indicating a negative perspective and higher values indicating a positive experience.

Time to remove caries was recorded using a stop watch.