An orthodontic appliance having an edgewise slot with a height between 0.0189 and 0.020 inches and having a depth between 0.025 and 0.030 inches, with a preferred embodiment being a height of 0.019 inches and a depth of 0.028 inches. The slot is preferably rectangular in cross-sectional shape thus having equal length short sides and preferably equal length long sides. The orthodontic appliance may be in the form of a bracket or tube, each for receiving an archwire and each shaped for one or more upper or lower permanent teeth. A bi-dimensional orthodontic appliance is also disclosed which uses conventional 0.018 or 0.022 inch slotted brackets in combination with the slotted bracket having a height between 0.0189 and 0.020 inches. Other alternate embodiments are also included.
