Densitometric evaluation of four radiographic processing solutions

Objective: To determine the performance of different processing solutions using an automatic processor for dental radiography. Study design: One brand of dental X-ray film (Minimax, Chicago, IL, USA) was developed in an automatic processor using four different brands of processing solution: Megasan (MGS, Megasan, Ankara, Turkey), (HAC, Ankara, Turkey), Fuji (Fuji Medical, Hacettepe Cedex, France) and RP X-Omat (Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY, USA) at a range of temperatures. Performance was evaluated with respect to base plug fog density, relative speed and contrast. Results: All solutions produced acceptable base plus fog values. MGS produced significantly greater densities (P<0.05) than the other three solutions. Contrast obtained with Kodak and Fuji solutions was less than with MGS and HAC. Developing temperature recommended by the manufacturer of the processor were found to be higher than that needed to achieve a clinically acceptable film. Conclusions: Depending on the processor and processing solutions used, exposure time and processing temperature can be modified while maintaining image quality. The cheapest processing solution (MGS) gave the same results as the more expensive.