OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE EVALUATIONS OF KODAK EKTASPEED-PLUS DENTAL-X-RAY FILM

A new dental x-ray film, Kodak Ektaspeed Plus (Eastman Kodak Co., Roch ester, N.Y.), was compared with Kodak Ektaspeed and Ultraspeed films. The comparison was based on objective measures (film contrast, speed, and fog levels) and subjective appraisals (film graininess and appeara nce). Ektaspeed Plus had higher contrast than Ektaspeed and in general similar contrast to Ultraspeed. Ektaspeed Plus was faster than Ektasp eed. Films were stored in various locations and base + fog determinati ons were made during a 16-week period. Ektaspeed Plus and Ultraspeed f ilms were generally stable within this period. There were no meaningfu l differences in fog buildup based on storage location. Ektaspeed Plus had the least rate of buildup. Ektaspeed demonstrated the greatest ra te of buildup and the greatest sensitivity to environmental factors. P eriapical exposures were made of the molars of a manikin. These radiog raphs were subjectively assessed by three observers. The Ektaspeed Plu s film was judged to appear less grainy than the Ektaspeed and to have a pleasing appearance. On the basis of the evaluations performed in t his initial investigation, it was concluded that Ektaspeed Plus was su perior to Ektaspeed film and was superior or equivalent to Ultraspeed film for dental radiography.