Relationship between depth of the curve of Spee and dentalfacial morphology in Angle Class Ⅱ maloclusion patients

To compare the depth of the curve of Spee in Angle classⅡ malocclusion patients with different vertical skeletal patterns and to investigate the relationship between the depth of the curve of Spee and dentofacial morphology.

101 Angle classⅡ malocclusion patients were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups based on their GoGn-SN angles-high angle, average angle and low angle. Lateral cephalograms and dental models of all patients were evaluated to analyze Spee curve depth difference among different groups, Correlation analysis and a multiple linear regression analysis were performed to determine the relationship between the depth of the curve of Spee and all selected cephalometric variables.

There was statistical difference in depth of the curve of Spee among different groups P＜0.05. The depth of the curve of Spee was least in the high angle group and greatest in the low angle group. GoGn-SN angle had statistically significant negative correlation with the depth of the curve of Spee, r = 0.428, P = 0.000, ODI, S-Go/N-Me、L7-GoGn angle had statistically significant positive correlation with the depth of the curve of Spee, r = 0.381, 0.357, 0.333, P = 0.000, 0.000, 0.001. The multiple linear regression analysis with stepwise method showed GoGn-SN angle had significant contribution to the depth of the curve of Spee.

In Angle classⅡ malocclusion patients, there was statistical difference in depth of the curve of Spee among different vertical skeletal patterns. The depth of the curve of Spee is correlated with dentofacial morphology, GoGn-SN angle had significant contribution to the depth of the curve of Spee, which should be taken into consideration during orthodontic diagnosis and treatment.