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The variability of the curve of Spee

An analysis of multiple setups of the same Angle Class I patient case

Die Variabilität der Spee-Kurve

Eine Analyse multipler Setups desselben Angle-Klasse-I-Patientenfalls

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Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics / Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine possible parameters correlating to the shape of the curve of Spee (COS) by analyzing multiple setups of the same Angle class I patient case.

Methods

In all, 65 setups of the same Angle class I patient case were constructed. We measured the depth of the COS, length and width of the dental arch, steps, rotations, spaces and symmetry of the constructed setups. With a correlation analysis, possible relationships between the depth of the COS and measured parameters were evaluated.

Results

The COS in the constructed setups was more exaggerated than in the reference case but none of the measured parameters correlated to the depth of the COS. The largest deviation was found on the mesiobuccal cusp tip of the first molar (−0.5 ± 0.4 mm left side; −0.8 ± 0.5 mm right side). This study found a negative correlation between the length and width of the lower dental arch (r = −0.61). While maintaining Angle class I, a large spread width of the depth of the COS, the dental arch width and length was shown.

Conclusion

The different manifestations of the COS in this study show the freedom of arrangement of the individual tooth morphology without exhibiting a correlation to parameters of the dental arch.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel

Anhand der Analyse multipler Setups desselben Angle-Klasse-I-Patientenfalls sollte die Korrelation verschiedener Parameter mit der Spee-Kurve beurteilt werden.

Methoden

Es wurden 65 Setups eines Angle-Klasse-I-Patientenfalls erstellt und die Tiefe der Spee-Kurve, Stufen, Rotationen, Lücken und die Länge, Breite sowie die Symmetrie des Zahnbogens gemessen. Mittels einer Korrelationsanalyse wurden mögliche Beziehungen zwischen den gemessenen Parametern und der Tiefe der Spee-Kurve evaluiert.

Ergebnisse

Im Durchschnitt war die Spee-Kurve der konstruierten Setups ausgeprägter als im Referenzfall. Die größten Abweichungen wurden im Bereich des mesiobukkalen Höckers des ersten Molaren gemessen (−0,5 ± 0,4 mm links; −0,8 ± 0,5 mm rechts). Keiner der evaluierten Parameter korrelierte mit der Tiefe der Spee-Kurve. Es wurde eine negative Korrelation zwischen der Zahnbogenlänge und -breite des Unterkiefers (r = −0,61) gefunden. Diese Studie zeigt eine große Streubreite der Zahnbogenlängen und -breiten sowie der Tiefe der Spee-Kurve bei Einhaltung einer Angle-Klasse-I-Verzahnung.

Schlussfolgerung

Die verschiedenen Ausprägungen der Spee-Kurve in dieser Studie ohne Korrelation zu Zahnbogenparametern zeigen den Anordnungsspielraum der individuellen okklusalen Morphologie auf.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Poliklinik für Zahnärztliche Prothetik, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany

    Tristan Hampe,  Sebastian Krohn,  Franziska Schmitt &  Dietmar Kubein-Meesenburg

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  1. Tristan Hampe
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  2. Sebastian Krohn
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  3. Franziska Schmitt
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  4. Dietmar Kubein-Meesenburg
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Correspondence to Tristan Hampe.

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Conflict of interest

T. Hampe, S. Krohn, F. Schmitt and D. Kubein-Meesenburg declare that they have no competing interests.

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Hampe, T., Krohn, S., Schmitt, F. et al. The variability of the curve of Spee. J Orofac Orthop 81, 89–99 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00056-019-00213-6

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