A placement jig for locating an orthodontic appliance on a tooth is provided with a cavity formed in a jig body and conforming to the contour of an occlusal portion a tooth crown, which cavity is coated with a releasable adhesive to hold the jig to the tooth as the appliance is bonded to the tooth. Connecting structure is fixed to the jig body. In certain embodiments, at least two jig-locating areas shaped to respectively conform to areas on the occlusal surfaces of two different teeth of a group are machined into the machinable material, and appliance receiving structures are also machined on each jig body, each for holding an orthodontic appliance in a fixed position and orientation relative to the jig body. The jig bodies for placing orthodontic appliances on the teeth of an individual patient are preferably formed of a single piece of machinable material. A method and an apparatus for forming the jig bodies are provided.