Ambreen Afzal1, Imtiaz Ahmed. 1. Department of Orthodontics, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the additional space required for leveling of curve of Spee in the mandibular arch by continuous arch wire mechanics. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental interventional. SETTING: Orthodontics Department, Karachi Medical and Dental College from September 2002 to September 2004. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Depth of curve of Spee and arch length were measured on 40 pre-treatment and posttreatment plaster models with the help of sharpened Boley gauge. RESULT: The study showed that clinical practice of allowing 1 mm of arch circumference for leveling each millimeter of curve of Spee overestimates the amount of arch space needed to flatten the curve of Spee (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The result suggested that the belief that 1 mm of arch circumference was necessary to level each millimeter of curve of spee present was an overestimation.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the additional space required for leveling of curve of Spee in the mandibular arch by continuous arch wire mechanics. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental interventional. SETTING: Orthodontics Department, Karachi Medical and Dental College from September 2002 to September 2004. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Depth of curve of Spee and arch length were measured on 40 pre-treatment and posttreatment plaster models with the help of sharpened Boley gauge. RESULT: The study showed that clinical practice of allowing 1 mm of arch circumference for leveling each millimeter of curve of Spee overestimates the amount of arch space needed to flatten the curve of Spee (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The result suggested that the belief that 1 mm of arch circumference was necessary to level each millimeter of curve of spee present was an overestimation.