The present invention provides designs for a self-ligating orthodontic bracket. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket includes a mounting base for attachment to a tooth surface, an archwire slot, a rotary ligating cover permitting access to the archwire slot, and one or more locking features for holding the rotary ligating cover in a closed position. In one embodiment, the bracket includes one or more locking tabs on the rotary ligating cover aligned in coplanar relation to and cooperatively mating with cutout portions in the base. In one embodiment, the bracket includes at least one resilient retention mechanism which may include one or more relief channels permitting flexing of at least portions of the rotary ligating cover adjacent to the one or more locking tabs.