A 20 year old male patient complains of pain in the upper front tooth. History of facial injury while playing football. An IOPA of 11 was taken and processed using the conventional manual processing technique. What could be the reason for the quality of this radiograph?

Incomplete fixation results in images that are dark and discolored, making them non diagnostic. This film was also poorly positioned in the patient’s mouth, cutting off most apices of the teeth. Staining may also be caused by using depleted developer or fixer or using contaminated solutions. Note: Film contaminated with fixer before processing will produce light spots. Excessive fixation will produce light radiographs. Depleted developer solution will produce light radiographs and yellow and brown stains. White and Pharoah’s oral radiology principles and interpretation 7th edition page 70