Curve of Spee - from orthodontic perspective

Abstract

The presence of a curve of Spee (COS) of variable depth is common finding in the occlusal arrangement and is sixth key of occlusion The understanding of COS in the field of orthodontics is very important as orthodontists deal with it in virtually every patient they treat. An excessive COS is a common form of malocclusion that may be addressed in many ways, including posterior extrusion, anterior intrusion, and incisor proclination. The specific approach to leveling of COS should be selected based on each patient's needs. Soft tissue, crown–gingival relations, occlusal plane, and skeletofacial concerns are among the special considerations for treatment planning for leveling of COS.

INTRODUCTION

The curve of Spee (COS) was first described by Spee in 1890, who used skulls with abraded teeth to define a line of occlusion. He defined the line of occlusion as the line on a cylinder tangent to the anterior border of the condyle, the occlusal surface of the second molar, and the incisal edges of the mandibular incisors.[1] Spee located the center of this cylinder in the midorbital plane, so that it had a radius of 6.5–7.0 cm.[1,2]

According to the glossary of prosthodontic terms, 1994 COS, was defined as the anatomical curve established by the occlusal alignment of the teeth, as projected onto the median plane, beginning with the cusp tip of the mandibular canine and following the buccal cusp tips of the premolar and molar teeth, continuing through the anterior border of the mandibular ramus and ending at the anterior aspect of the mandibular condyle. The curvature of the arc would relate, on average, to part of a circle with a 4-inch radius.

However, “clinical” of COS in orthodontics differ substantially from original COS as defined by Spee and the definition of COS given in prosthodontic literature. The presence of a COS of variable depth is common finding in the occlusal arrangement and is the sixth key of occlusion. Clinically in orthodontics today, the COS refers to the occlusal curvature of the mandibular dentition that runs tangent from the buccal cusp tips of the posterior molars to the incisal edges of the anterior incisors when viewed in the sagittal plane.[3]

DEVELOPMENT OF CURVE OF SPEE

Factors affecting the development of curve of Spee.

Dental factors

Overall, the development of the COS is likely due to a combination of factors including dental eruption timing, craniofacial variation, and neuromuscular factors.[3] Perhaps the mandibular molars and incisors are permitted to erupt beyond the original occlusal plane due to the fact that they erupt earlier than their maxillary antagonist and are, therefore, unopposed.[3]

Dentition stage

The occlusal plane is flat in the complete deciduous dentition. During the transition into mixed dentition, increases largely with the eruption of the central incisors and first permanent molars, and finally reaches a maximum with the eruption of the permanent second molars where it remains stable throughout adolescence and into adulthood.[3]

Malocclusion

Curve of Spee is the most severe in Class II division 2 subjects, followed by Class II division 1 subjects, then Class I subjects, with the least amount of depth is detected in Class III subject.[4]

Facial pattern

In humans, an increased COS is often seen in brachycephalic facial patterns and associated with short mandibular bodies.

WHY SHOULD WE FLATTEN THE OCCLUSAL CURVE

Proper biomechanical function

For proper biomechanical function during food processing by increasing the crush/shear ratio between the posterior teeth and the efficiency of occlusal forces during mastication.[5]

Muscular balance

Exaggerated COS may alter the muscle balance, ultimately leading to the improper functional occlusion.

Resist the forces of occlusion

In a mechanical sense, the presence of a COS may make it possible for a dentition to resist the forces of occlusion during mastication.

Key to normal occlusion

A deep COS may make it almost impossible to achieve a Class I canine relationship, it may also result in occlusal interferences that will manifest during mandibular function. According to Andrews the COS in subjects with good occlusion ranges from flat to mild, the best static intercuspation occurs when the occlusal plane is relatively flat.

Normal functional movement of the mandible

A deep COS results in more confined areas for the upper teeth. A flat COS is most receptive to normal occlusion and a reverse COS results in excessive room for the teeth.

MEASUREMENT OF CURVE OF SPEE

Different authors have advocated their own methods for the measurement of the curve of the Spee [Table 1].

Table 1.

Methods of measurement of COS

HOW MUCH SPACE DOES A CURVE OF SPEE REQUIRE TO BE FLATTENED?

A curved arch has a greater circumference than a flat arch. A popular theory is that 1 mm of arch circumference is needed to level each millimeter of the COS.[11] Baldridge[6] and Garcia[12] found the ratio to be more accurately expressed by the formulas Y = 0.488 X −0.51 and Y = 0.657 X +1.34, respectively, where Y is the arch length differential in millimeters and X is the sum of right and left side maximum depths of the COS in millimeters. In a mathematical model, Germane et al.[13] determined the relationship to be nonlinear, and the arch circumference differential less than a one-to-one ratio for curves of Spee having a depth of 9 mm or less. According to Woods,[14] the amount needed is variable depending on the type of mechanics used. Later on, the COS and/or leveling of this has related to incisor over-bite[9,15,16] and lower arch circumference.[9]

More recently, Ahmed et al.[4] and Afzal and Ahmed[10] used a Boley gauge to measure arch length before and after orthodontic treatment where a reverse curve archwire was used to level the COS. Their results showed that the leveling of each millimeter of the COS increases mandibular arch length by 0.8 mm.

METHODS OF LEVELING

Over the years, different orthodontic techniques have been used to assist in leveling the COS.

Correction of exaggerated COS can be achieved by the following tooth movements:

• Extrusion of molars

• Intrusion of incisors

• Combination of both movements

• Proclination.

Extrusion of molars

Can be achieved by the following methods:

• Continuous archwires[16,17,18] or segmented archwires[19]

• Reverse COS and/or maxillary exaggerated COS wires

• Step bends

• Anterior bite plate

• Altering bracket placement heights.

One millimeter of upper or lower molar extrusion effectively reduces the incisor overlap by 1.5–2.5 mm.

Indications

• Patients with short lower facial height

• Excessive COS

• Moderate-to-minimal incisor display.

Disadvantages

• Stability is questionable in nongrowing patients

• Excessive incisor display

• Increase in the interlabial gap and worsening of gingival smile.[20,21]

Intrusion of incisors

Intrusion of upper and/or lower incisors is a desirable method to level COS in many adolescent and adult patients.[22,23,24]

The four common methods:

• Burstone[21]

• Begg and Kesling[25]

• Ricketts[26]

• Greig.[27]

All four designs apply tipback bends at the molars to provide an intrusive force at the incisors. Utility arches are arch wires that are bent is such a way that they bypass the buccal segment and are engaged on the incisors. These arches can be used to perform a number of tooth movements including intrusion of incisors, protraction or even retraction of incisors. They are activated by giving a V bend in the buccal segment of the wire so as to produce an intrusive force on the anteriors.

Recommended forces for intrusion of lower incisors are in the range of 12.5 g/tooth and for maxillary incisors about 15–20 g/tooth. The reactionary extrusive force on molars is prevented by natural interdigitating occlusion or in extreme cases by giving a posterior bite plane of minimum thickness.

Indications

• Patients with a large vertical dimension

• Excessive incision-stomion distance

• Large interlabial gap.

Disadvantage

External apical root resorption.[4,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38]

STABILITY AND RELAPSE

The stability of deep overbite correction may be dependent on the specific nature of its correction (intrusion, extrusion, or flaring). Various other factors, such as growth and neuromuscular adaptation, may also play a role in relapse.

Simons and Joondeph, in a 10-year postretention study of deep overbite correction, reported that proclination of lower incisors and a clockwise rotation of the occlusal plane during treatment were significant relapse factors.[38]

The stability of posterior extrusion is controversial, with conflicting reports of favorable long-term results versus high relapse potential.[39] Variables such as the amount of growth and the patient's age during treatment, muscle strength, adaptation, and the original malocclusion have all beenpostulated as factors contributing to the long-term stability of COS correction.

Burzin and Nanda specifically investigated the stability of incisor intrusion.[40] In this study, the average treatment time was 2.3 years and the average posttreatment observation period was 2 years. Overbite showed a mean reduction of 3.5 mm during treatment and a mean posttreatment relapse of 0.8 mm. The maxillary incisors were intruded an average of 2.3 mm and an insignificant relapse was noted (0.15 mm). This study showed that intrusion of maxillary incisors appears to be a stable procedure.

RETENTION

Corrected COS in either Class I or Class II malocclusions usually require retention in a vertical plane (moderate retention). If anterior teeth were depressed to achieve overbite correction, a bite plate on a maxillary retainer is desirable. It is worn continuously for perhaps the first 4–6 months. Often the incisal edges of the anterior teeth are unworn and require spot grinding and adjusting in some class II division I cases. If cases of skeletal deep bite correction is achieved as a result of bite opening. In these cases the mandible is forced away from the maxilla and the vertical dimensions should be held until growth (i.e., mandibular ramal height) can catch up. The changes of the mandibular plane angle suggest proper retention.