Randomization, allocation concealment and blinding
Participants were randomly allocated into two groups using computer generated random list. The lists were placed in opaque, sealed envelopes, and organized in sequential manner by a dental assistant who was not involved in the study. Subsequently, each envelope was opened at the time of intervention [This study was double-blinded, where both the evaluator of the outcomes and the statistician were blinded to the type of intervention used. Given the differences in the intervention techniques utilized in the two groups, blinding of both the operator and the patient could not be possibly achieved.