Save time and money with these X-ray tips from Carestream Health: Ask the Expert for February 2011
Christopher A. Warren
Technical Support Engineer
Imaging Consultant
Carestream Dental
Exclusive manufacturer of KODAK Dental Systems
X-Ray answerDiagnosis: Dark gray spots and darker bands were caused by moisture contaminationThis type of issue is tricky to diagnose and difficult to recreate. The particular artifact problem above was most likely created while still in its original packaging. At some point during shipping or storage, it was exposed to very high temperature and humidity conditions for an extended period of time. Storing film in these conditions created condensation to form between the film and the black paper surrounding the film. The moisture causes areas of the film to pre-develop so that after normal exposure and processing, the pre-developed areas appeared much darker in density. Similar artifacts may occur if film is stored in a refrigerator or in direct sunlight.Tips and TricksIn order to avoid this problem, I recommend the following:
- Film should be stored and handled per manufacturer’s expectations: Unexposed and unprocessed films should be kept in a cool, dry place — ideally at temperatures ranging between 50°F (10°C) and 70°F (21 °C), and with a relative humidity between 30% and 50%.
- Dental film, both intraoral and extraoral, should not be stored in a refrigerator. If stored at low temperature, condensation can form on film once it is brought to room temperature.
- Film stored in high temperatures can lead to decreased contrast and increased gross fog.
- Film should be used before its date of expiration. Your inventory management practice for film should be FIRST IN, FIRST OUT to avoid film expiring before use.
