Woodridge, IL...July 17, 1994
Latest Update Saturday, January 17, 1998

Tips and tricks about fast developing with chairside developers.

1. Mount a small light just above the darkroom.

   If the films appear to be fogging, the light is too bright. A good way to check is to open a film packet and put a paper clip on the film, then hold it a couple inches below the filter/cover for as long as it normally takes to develop, then remove the paper clip and develop the film. The paper clip will have prevented exposure of the film under the paper clip and thus will provide a clear indication of how much light the film was exposed to.

2. Use fresh developer whenever the developing time exceeds the recommended time by 10 percent. One advantage of chairside developers is the small amount of developer it takes. Some dentists even extend this by putting glass marbles in the bottom of the developing jar to raise the level high enough to immerse the film.

3. Keep a photographers stainless steel darkroom thermometer handy. These are relatively inexpensive and are easy to read. They also react almost immediately to any change in temperature.

   Since films are developed by time and temperature, you need to know the temperature within one degree.

4. Put fresh wash water in daily into the wash between the developer and fixer and after the fixer.

5. Keep the lids on the jars. Or in the case of Microcopy Portable darkroom, snap the lids closed.

   Air oxidizes the developer.

6. Use clip type plastic or wooden clothespins for holding film.

   They are much cheaper and can be thrown out or lost at little cost.

7. Develop for EXACTLY the amount of time recommended.

   If you have to pull the film out sooner than that, you have probably overexposed. If you have to leave it in longer then you definitely underexposed. In short do not vary the developing time, correct the exposure time.

   This will result in poor xrays and lowered contrast.

8. Keep a digital clock or clock with a second hand in a place that is visible while your hands are inside the box. Sometimes you can affix it to the lid of the chairside darkroom with velcro or double stick tape.

   Timers that require you to push a button, I have found, are more trouble than they are worth.

9. Keep the xrays in motion while in the developer.

   Agitation increases the contact of developer and film, keeps fresh developer against the film and speeds the developing process.

   The times listed on the instructions with the developers assume constant agitation.

10. After the development time is up, a quick dunk in the water and then into the fixer.

    Theoretically you don't need the wash between the developer and fixer but it greatly extends the life of the fixer not to have pure developer carried into the fixer.

11. As soon as the xray is immersed in the fixer, you can lift the lid on the box to look at the fixing process.

12. You can keep a jar of fixer outside the box and as soon as the xray has been if the fixer a second, you can transfer it to the other jar of fixer and go back to the operatory with the fixer fixing the xray in transit.

13. It is extremely important not to OVER FIX the xray.

    As soon as the white protective backing on the film has been dissolved by the fixer, the xray is fixed.

    Any more fixing simply soaks the film base with fixer and increases the need to wash longer.

14. As soon as the xray is fixed, rinse it in running water.

    Fixer running down your hand to your elbow is uncomfortable and smells.

15. View the xray wet by sticking it to the glass on the SPI-Glass available from Special Products and read it by holding it up to a light source. If you have not purchased one of these yet, they make life in the operatory a lot easier, principly because you don't need to lean over the light box to read it. Many times holding it up to a white wall or window is adequate. Furthermore it has a measuring grid built in, which obviates the need to hold a ruler, xray, and magnifying glass.

16. After you have read it, store it in a large jar or sink full of water.

    If you have not overfixed, this may wash it adequately by the time the appointment is over and you can simply hang it up to dry or dry it with an air syringe.

    Washing for five minutes in running water or a 20 minute soak in the sink is more than adequate to make the xray permanent.

e-mail your comments to drjack@BetterEndo.com