Patent ID: 7963768

Claim:
A self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly comprising: a bracket having: (a) an archwire slot extending mesio-distally across the bracket for receiving an archwire; (b) a channel extending through the bracket in an occlusal-gingival direction; and (c) a labial surface; a clip having: (a) a back forming the lingual aspect of the clip, sliding within the channel of the bracket between an open position and a closed position for the clip; (b) a labial portion; and (c) a tongue extending from the labial portion of the clip across the archwire slot when the clip is in the closed position, and being retracted from the archwire slot when the clip is in the open position; and a rotatable lifting element having a threaded shaft threaded into the labial surface of the bracket adjustably lifting the labial portion of the clip from the labial surface of the bracket, thereby adjusting the force exerted by the tongue of the clip on an archwire in the archwire slot.