A pin connector for attaching an orthodontic force module to an orthodontic appliance is configured to preferentially bend in a middle segment along an elongate pin body of the pin connector. The pin connector includes an elongate pin body and an extension rod extending laterally from an end of the pin body for interconnecting the pin body and an orthodontic force module. The elongate pin body includes first, second and third segments, with the second segment having reduced cross-sectional diameter relative to the first and third segments so that pin body preferentially bends in the second segment rather than the first and third segments when attaching the orthodontic force module to the orthodontic appliance. This provides a preselected amount of distance or play between the orthodontic force module and the orthodontic appliance.