Maximum Clinical Insertion Torque and Its Association With the Success Rate of Orthodontic Miniscrews

Orthodontic miniscrews provide temporary skeletal anchorage but are lost prematurely in a proportion of cases despite correct placement. The insertion torque generated when a miniscrew is seated has been proposed as a marker of primary stability, but its relationship with clinical success remains uncertain and the existing evidence is limited. This prospective observational cohort study evaluated orthodontic miniscrews placed for skeletal anchorage during routine fixed orthodontic treatment at the postgraduate orthodontic clinic of Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile. The primary objective was to determine whether the maximum clinical insertion torque measured at placement is associated with miniscrew success. Maximum insertion torque and patient-, device-, site-, and treatment-related characteristics were recorded, and each miniscrew was followed until elective removal or failure.