As more orthodontic practices embrace the concept of self-ligation, it is becoming apparent that stainless steel and elastomeric ligatures will eventually be as outdated as full banding is today. Considering the advantages of self-ligating brackets for the clinician, staff and patients, they may well become the "conventional" appliance systems of the 21st century. It's our duty as clinicians to encourage this new system to imbibe into the system for the betterment of everyone.