Abstract: A dental appliance formed of a bracket and an arch. The bracket is adapted to be detachably secured to a patient's tooth. The bracket is formed from a material which is substantially inert to water, which has a low coefficient of friction, and which has deformation properties which enable the bracket to absorb and equalize minor displacement of the tooth without adversely affecting the original shape of the arch. The arch cooperates with the bracket when the bracket is detachably secured to the tooth of the patient. The arch includes wire or ribbon, and a relatively thin coating over the wire or ribbon. The coating is substantially tooth-colored and has a low coefficient of friction.