Orthodontic self-ligating bracket

An orthodontic bracket comprising:

• a base configured for attachment to a tooth surface;
• a bracket element attached to one side of the base, the bracket element comprising:
• an arch wire slot formed in a labial side of the bracket element and running along a mesiodistal direction of the bracket element, said arch wire slot being configured for supporting an arch wire therein;
• a wall portion of the bracket element extending upward along one side of the arch wire slot, the wall portion having three indentations in a line parallel to the mesiodistal direction, forming outer indentations and a central indentation, the wall portion having two side walls separating the indentations from one another, each of the side walls having free ends configured with flanges that extend into the central and outer indentations parallel to a mesiodistal direction;
• and
• a channel running entirely through the bracket element underneath the arch wire slot and in a gingival-occlusal direction of the bracket;
• and
• a substantially U-shaped clip having a first end with two protrusions shaped to fit within the two outer indentations of the wall portion, and two central fingers shaped to fit within the central indentation of the wall portion, and a second end in the shape of a J and having a locking element at a tip thereof;
• wherein the clip is securable to the bracket by placing the second end through the channel and engaging the locking element and placing the protrusions and central fingers into the indentations of the bracket element, wherein the protrusions and central fingers are held in the indentations by the flanges, and wherein the clip is releasable by sliding the protrusions out of the indentations with a force sufficient to cause the protrusions and central fingers to clear the flanges to expose the arch wire slot.