Patent ID: 7736147

Claim:
An automated method for bite-setting computer models of teeth on a first jaw and a second jaw, comprising: determining an initial position of the first jaw by using a data processing system to create a digital perimeter outline of the initial position of the first jaw and to position the digital perimeter outline of the initial position of the first jaw over a digital model of the second jaw, wherein the digital perimeter outline is displayed on a display device coupled to the data processing system; determining an optimal bite based on the initial position of the first jaw by directly aligning the first and second jaws, comprising: determining a corresponding tooth on the second jaw for every molar and premolar tooth in the first jaw, determining a transform for the first jaw by minimizing a sum of squared distances between corresponding teeth of the first jaw and the second jaw, and applying the transform to the first jaw; and shifting the first jaw to be above the second jaw.