Densitometric comparisons of Ultra-speed, Ektaspeed, and Ektaspeed Plus intraoral films for two processing conditions

This study compared film speed, contrast, exposure latitude, and resolution of Ultra-speed, Ektaspeed, and Ektaspeed Plus films (Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y.). Densitometric curves were generated for each film type under processing conditions of fresh and used chemistry to observe their effect on factors associated with diagnostic quality. Ektaspeed Plus film displayed the least variability due to processing condition of any film; it also demonstrated the fastest speed and was twice as fast as Ultra-speed film. Ektaspeed exhibited the greatest relative exposure latitude followed by Ektaspeed Plus and Ultra-speed. Average gradient over a clinically useful range of densities was greatest for Ultra-speed in fresh processing solutions, but greatest for Ektaspeed Plus in used processing solutions. All film types were able to resolve more than 16.6 line pairs per millimeter regardless of processing conditions. The results of this study suggest that dental practitioners who have refrained from using E-speed film because of the sensitivity of this film to variations in processing may now consider providing this dose-reducing technology for their patients with the expectation of obtaining consistent image quality.