The Curve of Spee is a curved angle that is observed from the side of your jaw to your front teeth. It is measured using orthodontic study models, and/or lateral cephalometric X-ray images. It was first described by Ferdinand Graf von Spee, a German anatomist, in 1890.
An exaggerated Curve of Spee usually appears in people with deep overbites and is a sign of improper jaw or bite function. It can be corrected by extruding or intruding the molars. The Curve of Spee changes as a person grows, and stabilizes shortly after adulthood.
Illustration By Partynia – Own work modified File:Human Skull Lateral View Unlabeled.jpg, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55300707
Synonyms:
von Spee's Curve, Spee's curvature