Short teeth with blunted roots (foreshortening) appear on the film when?

Foreshortening of teeth, characterized by short teeth with blunted roots appearing on the radiographic film, occurs when there is excessive vertical angulation during the exposure of the radiograph. When the x-ray beam is directed too steeply, it distorts the image, effectively compressing the tooth structure and causing the roots to appear shortened. This phenomenon results from the geometric relationship between the x-ray beam and the object being imaged; in this case, the excessive angle causes the length of the tooth on the film to appear shorter than its actual length.

In contrast, insufficient vertical angulation tends to produce an elongated image of the teeth, making them appear longer than they are. Incorrect horizontal angulation relates to the alignment of the x-ray beam from side to side, which does not affect the length of the teeth on the radiograph but rather influences the overlap of the proximal surfaces. A cone cut is a problem that results in part of the image being unexposed, leaving a clear area on the film but does not affect the appearance of the teeth themselves. Therefore, understanding the impact of vertical angulation is crucial for obtaining accurate radiographs of dental structures.