What does an increase in mA primarily result in?

An increase in mA, or milliampere, primarily affects the quantity of radiation produced during the exposure. When the mA is increased, there is a corresponding increase in the number of x-rays generated. This leads to an increase in radiation exposure to the patient and also results in a higher overall exposure of the imaging receptor (film, digital sensor, etc.).

Moreover, this increased exposure will generally enhance the density of the image, allowing for better visualization of the dental structures. While exposure time might decrease as a result of increasing mA (to maintain the same overall exposure), the primary effect is indeed the increase in radiation exposure, which is crucial for achieving images with appropriate density.

Thus, the correct answer focuses on the direct relationship between mA settings and the radiation exposure, emphasizing the importance of this factor in dental radiography practice.