Radiographic TechniqueQuestion 33 of 100
A maxillary premolar image shows teeth that look squat and shorter than normal, with crowns and roots compressed. The most likely cause is:
a.Excessive vertical angulation
b.Insufficient vertical angulation
c.Incorrect horizontal angulation
d.Underexposure of the receptor
Explanation
Foreshortening, in which teeth appear shortened and compressed, is caused by excessive vertical angulation. Insufficient vertical angulation would produce elongation instead. Horizontal angulation errors cause overlapping of proximal contacts, and underexposure produces a light image without changing tooth length.
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