Evaluation of the effect of four current Iranian processing solutions on the image quality of two dental X-ray films

Evaluation of the effect of four current Iranian processing solutions on the image quality of two dental X-ray films Dr. M. Imani Moghadam* - Dr. AHA. Afzali** - Eng. S. Ebrahim Zadeh*** *- Assistant Professor of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology Dept. - Faculty of Dentistry – Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. **- Radiologist. ***- The member of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Background and Aim: The combination of different processing solutions and dental film types can affect sensitometric properties (density and contrast). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 4 currently used Iranian processing solutions on the image quality of 2 types of dental films. Materials and Methods: In this experimental-laboratory study, a casted mandibular 2nd premolar along with a step wedge was used to obtain 248 periapical radiographs during 10 working-days. All films were processed in four Irainan processing solutions: Teifsaz, Jahan, Farhan and Champion. Endodontic files were used to assess the diagnostic accuracy. Densitometric evaluation of the lead wedge radiographs was done at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran using an Iranian digital software densitometry. Data were analyzed using the ANOVA test. Results: The mean density and contrast of the Kodak images was significantly higher than the Agfa images (P=0/001). Films processed with Champion solution revealed the highest radiographic contrast (P=0/001). No significant difference was found between the Agfa and Kodak films in determining the position of the endodontic file (P>0/05). Conclusion: This study showed that the type of processing solution and film can significantly affect radiographic density and contrast. Kodak films processed in Champion solution revealed the highest radiographic density among the studied materials. Key words: Periapical film - Processing solution - Image quality – Density - Contrast