Effect of miniscrew insertion angle in the maxillary buccal plate on its clinical survival: a randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION: This study sought to assess the effect of miniscrew insertion angle (vertical and oblique) on its clinical survival under shearing forces in orthodontic patients undergoing canine retraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial, 50 miniscrews were placed bilaterally in 25 patients with 45° and 90° insertion angles relative to a line perpendicular to the occlusal plane distal to the maxillary first premolar extraction site. Allocation of insertion angles to the right/left side was random using the Random Allocation Software. The patients, clinician, and statistician were blinded to the allocation of miniscrews to the side of jaw. The patients were followed-up monthly for 6 months. The primary outcome was the clinical survival of miniscrews, which was evaluated at each follow-up session. The secondary outcomes were the miniscrew stability based on the Periotest value (PTV) and the level of pain experienced by patients at 1, 12, and 24 h, and 7 days after miniscrew placement using a visual analog scale (VAS). Data were analyzed using paired t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, and McNemar’s test. RESULTS: The clinical survival rate of miniscrews placed at 90° and 45° angles was 76% and 88%, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.375). No significant difference was noted between the two groups regarding the PTV or the pain score either (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Clinically, the insertion angle of miniscrews (90° versus 45° relative to a line perpendicular to the occlusal plane) has no significant effect on the miniscrew survival rate or stability during orthodontic treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at www.irct.ir (IRCT20190901044659N1). PROTOCOL: The protocol was published after trial commencement.