Aligners and the Curve of Spee: Week-by-Week Changes

1) What “aligners leveling the curve of Spee” actually means

We’re gently reducing the depth of the lower arch’s arc so contacts even out.
Think “nudges,” not yanks.
Intrusion steps for incisors and planned contacts on molars do the heavy lifting.
Deep bite often improves as the curve levels, but they’re not the same thing.

2) Week 0 setup: scans, plan, bite ramps, attachments

Your provider maps the curve on your 3D scan and programs incisor intrusion.
You may get bite ramps to keep front teeth from colliding as the bite opens.
You’ll likely have attachments to give trays grip where force is needed most.
Ask to see the before/after occlusal plane on the digital plan.

3) Week 1: “pressure on the fronts” and early muscle chatter

Expect tenderness on the lower incisors for two to three days.
Chew soft foods.
Speech is normal unless ramps are tall.
I log a quick comfort score nightly.

4) Week 2: chewing feels different — and that’s normal

Front contacts begin shifting.
You may feel less “pinch” on the front teeth and more work from the back teeth.
Tiny changes show up sooner in how you chew than in photos.

5) Week 3: first visible signs on photos

Side-profile smile shots start to show a slightly flatter arc.
I keep lighting and angle identical.
For a structured system, see our post: Step-by-step: tracking your health progress with a TMJ appliance.

6) Week 4: ramps are doing their job

If ramps were added, the “tapping” on front teeth should calm.
Jaw muscles stop overworking to avoid collisions.
Some people report better morning ease.

7) Week 5: temporary weirdness — even an open bite

A transient posterior open bite can appear as the arch flattens.
Don’t panic.
Finishing stages usually close it as contacts are refined.

8) Week 6: first review — the questions I ask

What’s my measured curve depth now vs baseline.
Are intrusion steps on schedule.
Any refinements or extra attachments needed.
What’s the plan if the posterior open bite lingers.

9) Week 7: muscle adaptation and less jaw tension

As contacts even out, muscles stop fighting the bite.
If you had headaches or fatigue from overload, they often start easing.
For nuance on head pain links, read: The relationship between TMJ, headaches, and migraines.

10) Week 8: the curve looks flatter — what I look for

Lower front edges sit a touch “higher” relative to premolars.
Chewing feels more balanced left to right.
Speech and eating are basically back to normal.

11) Weeks 9–10: mid-course correction vs new trays

Many plans add a refinement here.
Small tweaks lock in intrusion or rotate stubborn teeth.
This is where good compliance pays off.

12) Weeks 11–12: finishing and even contacts

Expect lighter forces and more “settling.”
Your provider may polish tiny high spots to speed harmony.
Photos should now show a visibly flatter curve of Spee.

13) Mild vs deep curves: how the plan changes

Mild curves can level in one series of trays.
Deep curves usually need refinements and longer intrusion steps.
Braces with a reverse-curve wire are another path, but aligners can still win with patient discipline.

14) Comfort playbook I actually use

Switch trays at night.
Rotate between cool water rinses and warm saltwater when tender.
Tiny chewing exercises with aligner-safe “seaters” help the tray fully engage.
Pain should feel like pressure, not sharp zaps.

15) Eating, cleaning, and compliance hacks

Cut dense foods for the first 48 hours after a switch.
Brush after coffee or tea to avoid tray stains.
Set two alarms: wear-time audit at 8 pm and 10 pm.
Routine beats perfection.

16) TMJ, sleep, and posture — the honest version

Leveling the curve reduces one mechanical trigger for jaw muscles.
Sleep and clenching often improve when the bite stops colliding.
For context, see: How jaw alignment impacts sleep and TMJ, posture, and whole-body alignment.

17) Night guard + aligners: do I wear both

Generally no at the same time.
During active movement, the aligner acts as the “appliance.”
If you clench hard, ask about a temp strategy and when to add a guard post-treatment.
For options, read: Are mouthguards effective for reducing jaw tension and Can a mouthguard improve sleep quality.

18) Red flags worth a quick call

Sharp, localized tooth pain that lasts more than 48 hours.
A tray that won’t seat even with chewies.
New ringing in ears, jaw locking, or severe headache.
Cracked attachments or broken ramps.

19) Retention after leveling: keeping the win

Teeth love their old neighborhoods.
You’ll get fixed or removable retainers after the curve is leveled.
Nightly wear early on prevents relapse.
Pair retention with a protective guard if you clench.
For buying tips, see: The best mouthguard for TMJ pain: a buyer’s guide and What is a TMJ mouthguard and how to fit it correctly.

20) What I track and where I send readers next

Monthly right-profile smile photos with identical lighting.
Chewing comfort, morning jaw tension, and sleep quality notes.
If symptoms were your trigger, track them like KPIs.
Useful reads: How to improve sleep quality with oral appliance therapy, My bite is uneven — will a mouthguard help, and Alternative TMJ treatments you can try at home.

FAQs

How long to flatten a deep curve of Spee with aligners
Mild cases: a few months.
Moderate to deep: 9–18 months with refinements.

Do aligners work as well as braces for deep curves
They can with excellent planning and compliance.
Braces still shine for very complex movements.

Why did I get a temporary open bite
It’s a mid-course phase while the arch flattens.
Finishing steps close it.

Should I worry if one incisor is extra tender
Pressure tenderness is normal.
Sharp pain or cold sensitivity that lingers needs a check.

Will leveling my curve cure TMJ
It removes one mechanical trigger.
TMJ is multifactorial.
 Expect improvement, not miracles.

Bottom line + CTA

Aligners can level a deep curve of Spee predictably if you wear them on schedule, accept some mid-course weirdness, and track progress.
I treat this like a project: clear plan, weekly compliance, monthly photos, and a retention plan that sticks.
If you want comfortable protection after treatment or between refinements, consider a Reviv mouthguard.
Encourage readers to buy Reviv Mouthguard or other Reviv products by clicking Here.