FILM PROCESSING

drg. Shanty Chairani, M.Si.

 Processing X-Ray Film
 Film processing is a series of steps that
converts the invisible latent image on the
dental x-ray film into a visible permanent
image called a radiograph.
 When a film is exposed to radiation, there
is formation of a latent image.
 An unprocessed film is still sensitive to
light and radiation. The image can be
made visible and permanent only by
processing
 Formation of Latent Image
 When the silver halide crystals are irradiated,
x-ray photons interact primarily with the
bromide ions by Compton and photoelectric
interactions.
 These interactions result in the removal of an
electron from the bromide ions.
 By the loss of an electron, a bromide ion is
converted into a neutral bromine atom.
 The free electrons move through the crystal
until they reach a sensitivity site, where they
become trapped and impart a negative
charge to the site.
 Formation of Latent Image
 The negatively charged sensitivity site
then attracts positively charged free
interstitial silver ions.
 When a silver ion reaches the negatively
charged sensitivity site, it is reduced and
forms a neutral atom of metallic silver.
 The sites containing these neutral silver
atoms are now called latent image sites .
The overall distribution of latent image
sites in a film after exposure constitutes
the latent image.
Formation of Latent Image
The exposed film packet is unwrapped and the
film clipped on to a hanger.
The basic steps of processing dental x-ray film
are:
1. Developing : Immerse exposed film in
developer.
2. Rinsing : Rinse film in water bath.
3. Fixing : Immerse film in fixer.
4. Washing : Wash film in water bath.
5. Drying : Dry film and mount for viewing.
Emulsion Changes during Film
Processing
 Developing
 To reduce the exposed silver halide
crystals within the film emulsion to
black metallic silver. The unexposed
silver halide are unaffected at this time.
 The sensitized silver halide crystals in
the emulsion are converted to black
metallic silver to produce the
black/grey parts of the image.
 The film is immersed in developer and
agitated several times in the solution to
remove air bubbles and left for about five
minutes at 20°C
 The developing agents are affected by
extreme temperatures.
 The higher the temperature, the less time
required to develop the film
 Rinsing
 The purpose is to remove as much of the
alkaline developer as possible before
placing the film in the fixer solution.
 The films are rinsed in water for 15-30
seconds with continuous, gentle agitation
before they are placed in the fixer.
 Rinsing dilutes the developer, slowing the
development process. It also removes the
alkali activator, preventing neutralization
of the acid fixer.
 Fixing
 The unsensitized silver halide crystals in
the emulsion are removed to reveal the
transparent or white parts of the image
and the emulsion is hardened.
 If these crystals are not removed, the
image on the resultant radiograph is dark
and nondiagnostic.
 Total fixing time is usually 8–10 minutes.
 Too long fixing time can cause film fog and
loss of proper contrast.
 Washing
 After fixing, the processed film is washed in a
running water for an adequate time (around 10-
20 minutes) to ensure removal any remaining
traces of the chemicals.
 Washing efficiency declines rapidly when the
water temperature falls below 60 ° F
 Warm water should not be used as the emulsion
will soften and the film will be easily damaged.
 Leaving a film in water more than a few hours
will begin to dissolve the emulsion, and the
emulsion may peel away from the film base
 Drying and Mounting for Viewing
 Films may be air-dried at room
temperature or they may be dried in
a heated cabinet especially made for
this purpose
 The film should be kept in a dust-free
area for drying.
 Drying a film is very important as
sometimes the water marks can
result in artefacts.
 Dark Room
 Manual processing is done in a darkroom with safelight
illumination.
 Safelight refers to the light with a particular
wavelength which does not significantly affect the
radiographic film.
 Exposure of film for longer than normal time in the
safelighting conditions can adversely affect the image.
 Safelighting can be provided by red, brown, or olive-
green lighting.
 Safe illumination is usually provided by an ordinary
bulb of not more than 25 watts with a colored filter
placed in front of the bulb to achieve the required hue.
 A safelight may 
be mounted on 
the wall or 
ceiling in the 
darkroom and 
should be at 
least 4 feet from 
the work surface
 There are basically two types of
processing methods. They are:
1. Manual processing
• Visual method
• Time-temperature method.
2. Automatic processing : with less
time
• For intra oral film : 4 – 5 minutes
• For extra oral film : 90 seconds
Automatic Film Processor
TERIMA KASIH