A prescription for an orthodontic appliance is generated with a method using a computer-based program. The method includes providing a list of orthodontic appliances. From the list, an orthodontist may select an orthodontic appliance using a computer interface. The method also includes depicting a pictorial representation of the orthodontic appliance selected with a representation of the patient's maxillary and mandibular arches and providing a written description of the orthodontic appliance selected. The prescription is then sent to an orthodontic manufacturing lab. In one embodiment, the computer based program is installed on a computer system in an orthodontic clinic. In another embodiment, the computer based program is accessed by connecting to a web site. The web site may be operated by the orthodontic manufacturing lab or the supplier of the computer-based program.