Optimal processing of Ektaspeed dental film

Three rapid and two standard developing solutions have been tested. A jaw specimen and an aluminium step wedge were exposed on Kodak Ektaspeed film with a 60 kVp dental x-ray machine. The films were developed during varying times at 21 degrees C under controlled conditions. The image quality was tested with a densitometer as well as visually. The characteristic density curves were constructed and the relative speed, average density, fog and contrast were calculated for each test film. The time at which the contrast specified by the film manufacturer was reached, and beyond which the speed and contrast increased only marginally was regarded as the optimal developing time. With longer developing times no increase in image quality could be perceived visual by three trained observers. The optimal developing time at room temperature 21 degrees C, for the different solutions were found to be Kodak Dental 1:1 1.5 minutes Elfwing Rapid 1:3 1.0 minutes Scanfors Dental 1:2 1.5 minutes Kodak Dental 1:3 3.0 minutes Gevaert G 150 1:5 3.0 minutes The characteristic curves were identical for all developing solutions at the times recommended above and the total fog was below 0.20. However, the image quality was maintained and only an insignificant increase of fog was found even when those times were doubled.