Unerupted canine without median diastema.

The eruption of the canine is known to be a factor for diastema closure. In this study the relative changes in the orientation of the unerupted canine were assessed using the orthopantomographs of 9854 patients who sought consultation between April 1984 and March 1993. A total of 38 canines in 32 patients, all aged 11 years or older, were identified as unerupted canines. The features of the patients with unerupted canine showed no significant relation to diastema closure status, but some patients had unerupted horizontal or inverted canine without diastema even in the absence of a history of orthodontic treatment, suggesting the presence of a mechanical force due to some phenomenon other than canine eruption as a factor in diastema closure.