How to Measure Your Curve of Spee at Home (Safely)

1) What the curve of Spee actually is

It’s the front-to-back arc your lower teeth make when you look at your bite from the side.
If the arc dips a lot in the front, people call it a “deep curve.”
Shape isn’t a diagnosis by itself, but it can pair with deep bite, clenching, and uneven contacts.

2) What you can and can’t measure at home

You can capture good photos and estimate whether your arc looks flat, slightly dipped, or clearly dipped.
You cannot get a precise millimeter depth like an orthodontist can on a scan or model.
That’s okay.
We’re aiming for a screening that helps you make decisions.

3) Safety first — my non-negotiables

No hard objects between your teeth.
No sharp tools.
No “bite sticks” you found in a drawer.
If something feels unsafe or you start gagging, stop and skip the step.

4) Your simple toolkit

Your phone with the camera grid turned on.
A bathroom mirror with bright, even light.
Lip balm or a warm rinse so your lips stretch comfortably.
Optional: a clean plastic cheek retractor from a chemist, but it’s not required.

5) Baseline position that keeps photos comparable

Sit upright with your back against a wall.
Look straight ahead so your pupils line up with the top grid line.
Bring your teeth together gently in your natural bite.
Relax your tongue and don’t force your jaw forward.

6) Photo A — right-profile “smile line” shot

Stand sideways to the mirror.
Lift the phone to mouth level.
Smile just enough to show the lower front edges and the premolars.
Take two shots and keep the better one.

7) Photo B — left-profile for symmetry

Repeat on the other side.
Some curves look deeper on one side if your bite isn’t perfectly even.
That’s useful to note, not a problem to fix today.

8) Photo C — front “teeth together” shot

Face the mirror.
Close gently.
Show the lower front edges and the line back to the premolars without straining.
This helps you see how the front teeth sit compared to the back.

9) Quick visual scoring you can trust

Looks flat: lower front edges line up nearly straight with premolars in your side photo.
Slight dip: a small, smooth “smile” in the lower arch from front to back.
Noticeable dip: front edges sit clearly “lower” than premolars and molars.
I write my score on each photo so I can compare month to month.

10) How I add a rough reference line on the photo

Open the photo in your phone editor.
Draw a straight line from the biting edge of a lower premolar to the biting tip of the back molar.
Look at how far the lower front edges sit below that line.
Lower = deeper curve.
We’re not measuring millimeters.
We’re watching trend.

11) The three biggest mistakes I see

Tilting your head up or down between photos.
Clenching hard instead of resting your teeth together gently.
Stretching your lips too far, which distorts how the contacts actually meet.

12) What a deeper curve can feel like day to day

“Pinchy” chewing on the front teeth.
Morning jaw tension after sleep.
Early wear on lower front edges.
A deep bite often tags along, but they aren’t identical problems.

13) When my home check tells me to book a visit

Your curve looks noticeably deeper and you have symptoms like pain, wear, or headaches.
Your side photos are getting deeper over three to six months.
You snore, mouth-breathe, or wake unrefreshed and the bite feels off at breakfast.

14) What a proper clinical measurement includes

Photos, 3D scans, and a measured depth of the curve relative to the occlusal plane.
A map of first contacts so we know where forces land.
A plan for incisor intrusion and even contacts if you decide to treat.

15) If you start aligners or braces — how I track progress

Take the same three photos monthly under identical lighting.
Write simple scores for chewing comfort and morning jaw tension.
Expect some mid-course “weird bite” phases as teeth pass through in-between positions.
For a simple tracking routine, see our post: Step-by-Step: Tracking Your Health Progress With a TMJ Appliance.

16) Kids and teens — special notes for parents

Don’t force wide stretches or use makeshift tools.
Take quick, gentle photos and keep the experience neutral.
If you see edge wear, snoring, or school-day chewing fatigue, get a professional look sooner rather than later.

17) TMJ, headaches, and sleep — why your photos matter

A deep curve can contribute to muscle overload, clenching, and morning tension.
If headaches are in the mix, combine bite data with a symptom log to see patterns.
For context, read: The Relationship Between TMJ, Headaches, and Migraines and How to Improve Sleep Quality With Oral Appliance Therapy.

18) Guards and appliances — what they do and don’t do

A night guard protects teeth and calms muscles.
It does not level the curve on its own.
Think “support,” not “orthodontics.”
For a buyer’s overview, see: The Best Mouthguard for TMJ Pain: A Buyer’s Guide and What Is a TMJ Mouthguard and How to Fit It Correctly.

19) What to do if your photos worry you

Start with reversible steps to feel better while you evaluate.
Protect your teeth at night if you clench.
Dial in sleep and nasal breathing.
If you want at-home relief ideas, try: Best Home Remedies and Exercises for TMJ Pain Relief and Are Mouthguards Effective for Reducing Jaw Tension.

20) My bottom-line checklist before you act

Get clean, comparable photos first.
Note symptoms and triggers in plain language.
Decide with your clinician using both shape and comfort data.
 Treat the bite when mechanics matter, and protect your teeth either way.

FAQs

Can I measure the curve of Spee in millimeters at home
Not reliably.
You can estimate shallow vs moderate vs noticeable and track change over time.

Do I need cheek retractors
No.
Good lighting and gentle lip stretch are enough for screening photos.

Will a night guard flatten my curve
No.
A guard protects and relaxes muscles but doesn’t move teeth.

Is a deep curve the same as a deep bite
No.
They often appear together but they’re different measurements.

Can aligners fix a deep curve
They can with planned incisor intrusion and smart use of bite ramps, if you wear trays as prescribed.

What if my photos show a temporary open bite mid-treatment
That can happen as the arch flattens.
Finishing steps usually close it.

Could posture work fix the curve
Posture reduces muscle strain but won’t move teeth.
It’s a comfort play, not an orthodontic one.
Read next: TMJ, Posture, and Whole-Body Alignment.

When should I get a sleep study
If you snore loudly, pause breathing, or feel very sleepy by day, screen airway before you start orthodontics.
See our basics: Sleep Apnea.

Is it normal for photos to look worse before they look better
Yes.
Teeth pass through in-between positions that look odd on camera.

How often should I re-check at home
 Monthly is perfect for trend without burnout.

Conclusion + CTA

Measuring your curve of Spee at home is about safe photos, simple scoring, and watching trends, not chasing millimeters.
Pair your images with symptom notes, involve a professional, and use reversible tools to stay comfortable while you plan.
If you need protection during or after treatment, consider a Reviv mouthguard.
Encourage readers to buy Reviv Mouthguard or other Reviv products by clicking Here.