In dental x-ray film, the latent image is stored by:

The latent image in dental x-ray film is stored by silver halide crystals. When the film is exposed to x-rays, the energy from the radiation interacts with the silver halide crystals, resulting in a change in the crystals that forms a latent image before development. This latent image is invisible until the film undergoes a development process, where the exposed crystals are converted into metallic silver, creating the visible image on the film.

The importance of silver halide crystals lies in their sensitivity to radiation; they effectively capture the x-ray exposures. The entire process relies on these crystals working in conjunction with other components of the film, but they are the key element in capturing and holding the information until it is developed.

Other layers in the film, such as gelatin, film base, and the adhesive layer, play supportive roles, facilitating the composition and function of the film but do not have the primary role in storing the latent image. Gelatin serves to hold the silver halide crystals in place, the film base provides structural support, and the adhesive layer helps bond the various components of the film, but none of these contribute to the actual recording of the x-ray exposure.