Implant insertion torque and marginal bone loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the possible association between implant insertion torque and marginal bone resorption. Materials and methods: Electronic and manual searches were conducted for articles published up to and including March 2020. The databases consulted were MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Scielo and Cochrane Library. Meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the marginal bone resorption around dental implants placed with high insertion torque values (≥ 50 Ncm) compared to marginal bone resorption around dental implants placed with low to moderate (< 50 Ncm) insertion torque values. Results: A total of five prospective studies and two randomised clinical trials were included in the qualitative analysis. Three of them were analysed quantitatively. The meta-analyses did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups at 3, 6 or 12 to 15 months. Conclusions: No association between insertion torque value and peri-implant marginal bone resorption was found. Further studies of higher methodological quality are necessary to evaluate the possible correlation.