The low profile orthodontic appliance generally has a height between and generally not including 0.0190 and 0.020 inches and having a depth less than 0.026 inches, with a preferred embodiment being a height of 0.0195 inches and a depth of 0.025 inches. The slot is preferably rectangular in cross-sectional shape thus having equal length short sides and preferably equal length long sides, the long sides having straight, uninterrupted walls. The orthodontic appliance may be in the form of a bracket or tube, each for receiving a 0.019×0.025 inch archwire and each shaped for one or more upper or lower permanent teeth. The appliances may be universal, thus being of a same size on all applicable teeth or may be a bi-dimensional setup, which uses conventional 0.018 or 0.022 inch slotted brackets in combination with the slotted bracket having a height between and not including 0.0190 and 0.020 inches.
