Processing Errors

Ari Cahyono, DDS.

Department of General Dental
Practice And Oral & Maxillofacial
Radiology
Light/thin image
Causes
--under developed
--cold developer
--exhausted developer
--over fixation
--under fixation
Dark/dense image
Causes
--over developer
--too warm developer
--exposure to white light
Partial Image/Developer
Cut
Cause is failure to fully immerse
film in developer
Only part of film has an image
Undeveloped area of film appears
clear and transparent
Fixer Cut
Cause is failure to fully immerse
film in fixer
Appearance is a black area of film
where fixing chemicals did not
reach
Area black because now exposed
to light
No Image
Film placed in fixer before
developer
Fog
Increase in density giving cloudy
appearance with low contrast
Causes
--Light leak
--Developer temperature too high
--Improperly mixed developer
--Exhausted developer
--Use of old film
Reticulation
Described as pebbly or web-like
appearance
Results from sudden temperature
change (high temperature to much
lower temperature)
Also results if solution temperature
in excess of 80 degrees Fahrenheit
Static Electricity
Described as tree-like, branch-like
or hair-like black lines
Causes
--rough handling of film
--dry humidity
Torn Emulsion/Emulsion
Scratch
Appears as white lines
Occurs when emulsion softened
Air Bubble
Appears radiopaque
Results from failure to agitate film
as place in developer
Developer doesnt reach crystals of
emulsion
Clip Lines
Clips not properly washed from
previous fixing
Gives white lines
Fixer Splash
Appears as white blotches
Fixer splashed on film BEFORE
film developed
Fixer Stain
Appears as yellowish-brown spots
Fixer splashed on film AFTER film
processed
Faded film
Overall yellowish-brown
appearance
Results from insufficient washing
or insufficient fixing
Smudged
Film/Fingerprints
Examples
Examples
Film overlapped in processing
Examples
Light Leak
Thank you