Contribution of Digital Technology to the Surgical Technique of Miniscrew Insertion: A Literature Review

Orthodontic miniscrews are used to achieve absolute anchorage. Their insertion technique is simple but must be precise to avoid intra- and postoperative complications. This study aimed to review the literature on the role of digital technology in the precise placement of miniscrews and to describe the different stages of the insertion guide manufacturing chain. The databases used were PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, including the following English descriptors: “Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures,” “Cone Beam Computed Tomography.” Digital technology improves the accuracy of miniscrew placement by using 3D imaging to assess the quantity and quality of bone and the proximity of anatomical structures in the area to be implanted. By combining 3D imaging with the new techniques of 3D printing and virtual planning, the orthodontist can obtain a personalized placement guide for the patient using computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques. A digitally-assisted miniscrew insertion system is a promising technique for precise and safe miniscrew insertion but cannot be used routinely. Therefore, large-scale studies are needed to map miniscrew insertion in different areas, considering ethnicity, gender, and different anatomical characteristics.