Patent ID: 7963767

Claim:
An orthodontic bracket comprising: a bracket base having at least one arch wire slot formed therein, the arch wire slot being adapted to receive an arch wire therein; a ligation cover that is selectively slidable relative to the bracket base between an open, non-ligating position relative to the at least one arch wire slot and a closed, ligating position relative to the at least one arch wire slot; and a sliding mechanism that is configured to provide a sliding connection between the ligation cover and the bracket base and retain the ligation cover on the bracket base while in the open, non-ligating position, wherein an exterior labial surface formed by the base and ligation cover when in the closed, ligating position comprises a compound two axis curvature so that substantially all of the exterior labial surface provides a smooth, substantially continuous exterior surface that is free of discontinuities and crevices except for a single tool-receiving recess formed in the labial surface for use in selectively moving the ligation cover between the open and closed positions.