Radiographic TechniqueQuestion 43 of 100
On a panoramic image the anterior teeth appear narrow and blurred while the posterior teeth look acceptable. What positioning error occurred?
a.The patient was positioned too far forward, anterior to the focal trough
b.The patient was positioned too far back in the focal trough
c.The patient's chin was tipped too far up
d.The patient's spine was too straight
Explanation
When the patient stands too far forward, the anterior teeth fall in front of the focal trough and are projected narrow and blurred. Positioning too far back produces the opposite appearance, with anterior teeth wide and magnified. A raised chin flattens the occlusal plane into a reverse smile, and a slumped rather than straight spine causes a radiopaque shadow over the anterior region.
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