What can cause a blurred film during x-ray exposure?

A blurred film during x-ray exposure is primarily caused by the movement of the patient. When a patient moves during the x-ray process, even slightly, it can result in a loss of sharpness in the image. This motion can be due to natural reactions like swallowing, breathing, or any unintended movement, which translates into a fuzzy or unclear representation of the dental structures on the film.

In contrast, other factors such as the age of the film, increased kilovoltage peak (kVp), or equipment issues can influence various aspects of radiographic quality, but they do not directly lead to blurring in the same way that movement does. For example, old film may have issues related to sensitivity or processing, but it does not inherently cause a blur; instead, it may result in an image that is grainy or has decreased contrast. Increased kVp can enhance the penetration of x-rays and improve image quality by reducing the amount of radiation needed, but it does not affect image sharpness due to motion. A faulty x-ray unit may produce inconsistent or poor-quality images, but the concept of blurriness due to patient movement is distinct from technical equipment failures.