Patent ID: 6932597

Claim:
An orthodontic bracket comprising: a bracket base having an arch wire slot adapted to receive at least one arch wire, the bracket base comprising at least one type of plastic, ceramic or metal; a ligation cover integrally attached to the bracket base so as to be movable between an open, non-ligating position relative to the bracket base, in which no portion of the ligation cover remains directly over the arch wire slot, and a closed, ligating position in which the ligation cover at least partially covers the arch wire slot, the ligation cover comprising at least one type of metal; and a film hinge comprising a region of reduced cross-sectional thickness integrally interconnecting the bracket base and ligation cover that permits the ligation cover to be selectively rotated about the film hinge over a substantial angle of rotation between the open, non-ligating position and the closed, ligating position.