Assessment of the additional lower arch perimeter needed for leveling the curve of Spee

Marcio José da Silva CAMPOS, Cátia Cardoso Abdo QUINTÃO, Marcelo Reis FRAGA, Robert Willer Farinazzo VITRAL

Aim: To determine the additional arch perimeter needed for leveling the curve of Spee by means of a laboratory technique using dental casts. Methods: Seventy lower dental models were used for measuring the depth of the curve of Spee and assessing the arch perimeter from second molar to second molar. In these dental casts, after simulation of leveling the curve of Spee, arch perimeter was reevaluated, after maintaining its form and length. Results: The correlation between the depth of the curve of Spee and the additional arch perimeter was ratifi ed, as can be shown by the formula [Paa = 0,21 CSmax – 0,04]. Conclusion: The proposed technique allowed, through the assessment of the arch perimeter with the leveled curve of Spee, the determination of the space available for tooth alignment.

Keywords: Arch perimeter. Curve of Spee. Space available.

Saturday, November 23, 2024 09:51