A comparison of density of Insight and Ektaspeed plus dental x-ray films using automatic and manual processing

Yoon, Suk Ja

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the film density of Insight dental X-ray film (Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY, USA) with that of Ektaspeed Plus film (Eastman Kodak) under manual and automatic processing conditions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Insight and Ektaspeed Plus films were exposed at three different exposure conditions with an aluminum step wedge on the films under the three different exposure times. The exposed films were processed by both manual and automatic ways. The Base plus fog density and the optical density made by exposing step wedge were calculated using a digital densitometer (model 07-443, Victoreen Inc, Cleveland, Ohio, USA). The optical densities of the Insight and Ektaspeed film versus thickness of alumimun wedge at the same exposure time were plotted on the graphs. Statistical analyses were applied for comparing the optical densities of the two films.
RESULTS
The film density of both Insight films and Ektaspeed Plus films under automatic processing condition was significantly higher over the manual processing. The film density of Insight films was significantly higher than that of Ektaspeed Plus films on both automatic and manual processing conditions.
CONCLUSION
The radiation exposure time can be reduced when using Insight over Ektaspeed Plus film. To take the full advantage of reducing exposure time, Insight film should be processed automatically.