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1. PROCESSINGPROCESSING
Latent
Image
OMR, CODS, DVG
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2. PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
Definition : “ a series of steps carried out to make the latent
image visible and ensure it’s permanence ”
1. Developing
2. Rinsing
3. Fixing
4. Washing
5. Drying
5 steps of processing
Methodsof processing
 Manual
 Automatic
 Daylight
 Rapid
Methodsof processing
 Manual
 Automatic
 Daylight
 Rapid
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3. STEP1
PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
Developing makes the latent image visible and
is the first step in processing. The developing
solution consists of the following ingredients:
1. Developer: Elon and Hydroquinone
2. Activator: Sodium carbonate / hydroxide
3. Restrainer: Potassium bromide
4. Preservative: Sodium sulfite
5. Vehicle: Water
Methods of developing:
1. Visual method
2. Time-temperature method e.g. 5 minutes at
680
F; 4½ minutes at 700
F; 4 minutes at 720
F
3. Modified time-temperature methodwww.indiandentalacademy.com

4. STEP2
STEP3
PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
Rinsing is the second step in processing and
is carried out under running water for 30
seconds. Rinsing removes the alkaline
developer solution from the film. This prevents
overdeveloping of the film and contamination
of the fixing solution.
Fixing makes the visible image permanent and is
the third step in processing. The fixing solution
consists of the following ingredients:
1. Clearing agent: Sodium / Ammonium thiosulfate
2. Hardener: Aluminium / Chromium potassium
sulfate
3. Acidifier: Acetic acid
4. Preservative: Sodium sulfite
5. Vehicle: Water
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5. STEP5The processed film (‘radiograph’) is then
allowed to drip-dry in a dust-free area. A
drying cabinet - with moderately warm,
circulating air - may also be used for this
purpose.
STEP4
After fixing, the film is washed in running water
for at least 20 minutes. Washing removes
residual fixing solution from film surface and
thus prevents discoloration during storage.
PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
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6. PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
Requirements of a Dark Room :
Ω At least 4 x 5 feet.
Ω It must be light-proof.
Ω It should be well ventilated.
Ω It must have safelighting :
~ mounted 4 feet above the working table
and processing tanks
~ 15 watt bulb
~ orange-red / yellow light
~ coin test.
Ω It should have a thermometer and a timer.
Ω It should have suitable thermostat device to
maintain temperature of the solutions.
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7. Methodsof processing
 Manual
 Automatic
 Daylight
 Rapid
Methodsof processing
 Manual
 Automatic
 Daylight
 Rapid
PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
Automatic Processing
Asagainst manual processing, in thismethod all thestepsinvolved in
processing arecarried out automatically. Most of theseprocessorsare
equipped with adaylight loading chamber in which filmsarestripped and
inserted in slots.
Next, upon activating aswitch, thefilmsdrop in thedeveloping tank. All the
filmsarecarried through thedeveloping solution, and then through fixing
solution and water, at apredetermined speed using asystem of rollers/ push-
arms, tracksand motors.
From thewater tank, thefilmsgo through adrying chamber and aredelivered
outsidetheprocessor in aready to read, dry state. Thisentireassembly is
enclosed in alight proof container.
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8. PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
Automatic Processing
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9. PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
Theentireprocessing isachieved in avery short tomeranging from 3 to 8
minutes. Someprocessorsaccept only intra-oral films, whileothersaccept
both intra-oral aswell asextra-oral films.
Therapidity of processing isachieved by using concentrated solutions, that
aresometimesmaintained at ahigh temperature.
Advantages:
1. Rapidity of processing.
2. Consistent imagequality.
3. Largenumber of filmscan beprocessed continuously.
4. Need for adarkroom iseliminated. (Somemodelsdo not featureadaylight
loading chamber, and hence, do need adarkroom.)
Limitations:
1. Expensiveto purchaseand maintain.
2. Filmscan get lost in thetanks.
3. Dependent on electric power supply.
4. Rollerscan producescratch markson thefilms.
Automatic Processing
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10. Methodsof processing
 Manual
 Automatic
 Daylight
 Rapid
Methodsof processing
 Manual
 Automatic
 Daylight
 Rapid
PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
Daylight Processing
Any processing method that doesnot need adarkroom, iscalled as‘ daylight
processing method ’. Both manual and automatic processing can beexecuted
in thismanner.
Manual daylight processing involvesstripping thefilm insidealight proof
pouch. Within thepouch itself, thestripped filmsareinserted in amber
colored cassettes. Thecassettesloaded with filmsarebought outsidethe
pouch and processing stepsarecarried out manually, asusual, but in the
daylight.
If an automatic processor hasadaylight loading chamber and sincetheentire
assembly isenclosed in alight proof container, it also can becalled asa
daylight processing method.
Elimination of need for adarkroom istheonly advantageof thismethod.
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11. PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
Daylight Processing
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12. Any method that considerably reducestheprocessing time, iscalled as ‘ rapid
processing method ’. Both manual and automatic processing can beexecuted
in thismanner.
Rapid processing isachieved by using processing solutionsmaintained at
higher concentration or temperature.
Methodsof processing
 Manual
 Automatic
 Daylight
 Rapid
Methodsof processing
 Manual
 Automatic
 Daylight
 Rapid
PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
Rapid Processing
A system of rapid processing usesamixtureof developing and fixing
solutionscalled ‘monobath’. Special film packetscontaining only ax-ray film
(without black paper and lead foil) areused to capturetheimage. In the
daylight itself, themonobath isinjected in thefilm packet. Thepacket is
rubbed gently from outsidefor prescribed time. Thefilm, then, isremoved
from thepacket and viewed for interpretation. Sincesufficient fixing hasnot
been done, thefilm isimmersed in theregular fixing solution to achieve
permanenceof theimage. It isdried in theusual manner.
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13. PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
Rapid Processing
Advantages
1. Need for adarkroom is
eliminated.
2. Radiograph isavailable for
interpretation in few
secondsto few minutes.
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14. Methodsof processing
 Manual
 Automatic
 Daylight
 Rapid
Methodsof processing
 Manual
 Automatic
 Daylight
 Rapid
PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
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15. PROCESSINGPROCESSING OF X-RAY FILMSOF X-RAY FILMS
OMR, CODS, DVG
1. Light radiograph
2. Dark radiograph
3. Insufficient contrast
4. Film fog
5. Dark spots or lines on radiograph
6. Light spots on radiograph
7. Yellow or brown stains on
radiograph
8. Blurred radiographs
9. Radiographs with partial imageswww.indiandentalacademy.com