A ligating member (400) operable to retain an archwire (700) within a slot (26) of an orthodontic bracket (10) or buccal tube, including a base (402), a first ligation finger (410) extending from the base, a second ligation finger (412) extending from the base, and a latching element (404) extending from the base between the first ligation finger and the second ligation finger. The latching element includes a neck portion (408) extending from the base, the neck portion having a minimum cross-section region, and a head portion (406) extending from the neck portion, the head portion including a protrusion (416). The ligating member has a length, L1, from the base to a centerline of the protrusion, and a length, L2, from a centerline of the minimum cross-section region to the centerline of the protrusion, wherein L2 is equal to or greater than 40% of L1.
