an orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has an overall , low profile shape . the appliance includes a base having a thickness that is less in regions adjacent the archwire slot as compared to remaining regions . in certain embodiments , the base is provided with protrusions that extend into the archwire slot for controlling rotation of the associated tooth . the resulting low profile of the appliance enhances its aesthetic appearance and helps to avoid impingement of the appliance and the attached archwire on adjacent soft tissue in the oral cavity .