To correct a foreshortened image, how should the vertical angulation be adjusted?

To correct a foreshortened image, decreasing the vertical angulation is the appropriate adjustment. A foreshortened image occurs when the X-ray beam is directed too steeply, resulting in a distorted representation of the tooth where it appears shorter than its actual length. By decreasing the vertical angulation, the X-ray beam becomes less steep, allowing for a more accurate projection of the tooth’s true length and reducing the distortion. This adjustment helps in capturing a more precise image of the tooth anatomy, leading to better diagnostic quality in dental radiography.