What is the purpose of a developing solution in radiography?

The purpose of a developing solution in radiography is to expose silver halide crystals and turn them into metallic silver. When a radiograph is created, the film contains silver halide crystals that are sensitive to radiation. During the developing process, the exposed crystals are chemically reduced to metallic silver by the developer solution. This step is crucial because it reveals the latent image and makes it visible on the film. As a result, the developed film will show the dental structures clearly, allowing for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Understanding this process highlights the significance of the developing solution in creating high-quality radiographs, as it is directly responsible for transforming the latent image into a permanent, visible record. The other options do not accurately reflect the role of the developing solution in this context.