Objective: To compare the properties of a new speed group F intra-oral X-ray film with those of three well established types both from groups D and E, and evaluate the impact of six commercially available processing solutions. Methods: Four types of dental X-ray film, Flow (Flow X-ray, West Hempstead, NY, USA), speed group F, Ektaspeed Plus (Eastman Kodak, Rochester NY, USA) and M2 Comfort (AgfaGevaert, Morstel, Belgium), both speed group E, and Ultra-speed (Eastman Kodak), speed group D, were exposed under standardised conditions and processed in six different processing solutions. Base plus fog density, characteristic curves, film density, speed, average gradient, contrast and latitude and spatial resolution were calculated. Results: The choice of processing chemistry affected radiographic characteristics including speed grouping. The new F film was consistently the fastest. M2 Comfort could achieve F speed and Ultra-speed achieved E speed using Automat XR chemicals. The speed of Ektaspeed Plus was independent of the automatic processing solution used. Ultra-Speed film had the lowest base plus fog density and the widest latitude. Film contrast was similar irrespective of the film and solution combination. Conclusions: The choice of processing chemistry can affect radiographic characteristics. The new F film reduces patient exposure by one-half compared with E speed film with no detriment to image quality.
