Influence of different developing solutions and developing times on radiographic caries diagnosis

One hundred extracted premolars were radiographed under standardized conditions with D- and E-speed films. The films were developed with conventional and rapid processors using varying developing times. The influence of different developers and developing times on the diagnostic accuracy of radiographic caries diagnosis was evaluated with the aid of ROC technique. Rapid processing using the developing time recommended by the manufacturer led to a lower density and contrast compared with the conventional developer. Underdeveloped films using the rapid processors resulted in an unacceptable low level of diagnostic accuracy, but otherwise it was the same for all developers, developing times and both types of film.