An orthodontic appliance includes a nano-pillar coating on an external surface that is visible during use of the orthodontic appliance. The nano-pillar coating may absorb 99% of the incident visible light has a pillar-like structure with pillar structures having a point that widens to a base has a negative index of refraction at wavelengths in the visible light spectrum and/or does not include nano rods. An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body that includes an archwire slot, and a nano-pillar coating on an external surface of the bracket body. A movable member is movable between an opened position and a closed position, and the nano-pillar coating is on one or more external surfaces of the movable member. The bracket body is a ceramic and may be transparent or translucent. A method of making an orthodontic bracket includes forming a nano-pillar coating on at least a portion of the bracket body.
