title: Leveling curve of Spee and its effect on mandibular arch length.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the additional space required for leveling of curve of Spee in the mandibular arch by continuous arch wire mechanics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental interventional.
  
  
  METHODS
  Orthodontics Department, Karachi Medical and Dental College from September 2002 to September 2004.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi.
authors.forename: Ambreen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Afzal
authors.forename: Imtiaz
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology*; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective