ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of exposure to air and time on the radiographic contrast and relative film speed of three processing solutions. A modified aluminium step-wedge phantom was used to expose varying numbers of Kodak Ektaspeed films daily for periods up to 57 days. The radiographic contrast and relative film speed were determined each day using a digital densitometer. Data obtained were analysed statistically, using Duncan's Multiple Range Test, and a 3-Factor ANOVA. It was found that, for radiographic contrast, Insta-Neg gave the highest values, followed by Kolchem and Ultra-Neg. For relative film speed, Kolchem gave the highest values, followed by Insta-Neg and Ultra-Neg. Both radiographic contrast and relative film speed decreased with the passage of time. Processing solutions kept in closed containers continued to perform efficiently for a longer time than those in open containers. The useful period was found to exceed that which is usually recommended.
Subject(s)
Radiography, Dental/instrumentation , X-Ray Film , Air , Radiography, Dental/methods , Solutions , Time Factors , X-Ray Film/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate densitometrically four rapid processing solutions for dental films; also to identify those combinations of film, solution and temperature which produced the best results in terms of radiographic contrast and relative film speed at a given temperature. The film types used were Agfa Dentus M2, Flow X-ray and Kodak Ultra-speed while the rapid processing solutions tested were Kolchem Rapid Dev 1, Kolchem Rapid Dev 2, MEMS Ultra-Neg and Siemens Insta-Neg. An aluminium step-wedge was radiographed under standardized conditions. Processing was done manually at 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29 and 32 degrees C, the temperatures being controlled with the aid of two Julabo thermostatically controlled immersion circulators, to ensure constant temperatures. Unexposed films were processed at each temperature setting to determine base plus fog values. Densitometric readings were taken using a digital densitometer, and base plus fog values were subtracted from each reading. Radiographic contrast and relative film speed were calculated and the data obtained subjected to statistical analysis using Duncan's Multiple Range Test. It was concluded that Agfa Dentus M2 film processed with Kolchem Rapid Dev 2 at 18 degrees C gave the highest radiographic contrast of 0.44 and relative film speed of 4.36. All base plus fog values were within the acceptable limit of 0.25.
Subject(s)
Radiography, Dental , Technology, Radiologic , X-Ray Film , Densitometry , SolutionsABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a stepwise rise in temperature on three film types processed in six different processing solutions and to identify the combinations of film, solution and temperature which produced the best results in terms of radiographic contrast and relative film speed. The film types were Agfa Dentus M2, Flow X-ray and Kodak Ultra Speed while the processing solutions were Agfa, Dürr, EBX, Kolchem, MEMS and Pro-tech. An aluminium step-wedge was exposed under standardised conditions. Processing was carried out in a Dürr 245L automatic processor with variable temperature settings from 25 degrees to 35 degrees C. Unexposed films were processed at each temperature setting to determine the base plus fog values. Densitometric readings were taken using a digital densitometer, and the base plug fog values subtracted from each reading. Radiographic contrast and relative film speed were calculated and the data obtained subjected to statistical analysis using Duncan's Multiple Range Test. It could be concluded that, as the processing solution temperature rose from 25 degrees C to 35 degrees C, both radiographic contrast and relative film speed increased. The highest radiographic contrast was obtained by Agfa film in Kolchem solution at 35 degrees C, while Kodak Ultra Speed film in MEMS solution at 35 degrees C gave the highest relative film speed. An acceptable base plus fog level of 0.25 was obtained in the case of Agfa film in combination with Agfa, Dürr and Pro-tech solutions and Flow X-ray film with Dürr solutions. All the other combinations produced a base plug fog level higher than 0.25.
Subject(s)
X-Ray Film , Solutions , Temperature , Time FactorsABSTRACT
In order to determine the effect of 7 dental film processing solutions on the quality of the radiographic image, an aluminium step-wedge phantom was exposed, using Agfa Dentus M2, speed group D, intra-oral x-ray films. The exposures were done under standardized conditions. Processing was carried out, using each of the 7 processing solutions, namely Agfa, Dürr, EBX, Kolchem, MEMS, Premier and Pro-tech strictly in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations. After the processed films were subjected to densitometric evaluation, a step-wedge curve was drawn for each processing solution. The data pertaining to the radiographic contrast and relative speed values were calculated from the step-wedge curve and, together with the base plus fog values, were tabulated. Kolchem produced the highest radiographic contrast, followed closely by MEMS and Dürr. The relative film speed was almost identical for Kolchem, MEMS and Dürr. Regarding the base plus fog values, all 7 processing solutions were within the acceptable limit of 0.25.