Patent Document ID: 9978172
Application ID: 14421219
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A method, comprising the steps of: generating a first 3D model of a first subsection of an upper jaw from a portion of a plurality of three-dimensional optical images; generating a second 3D model of a second subsection of a lower jaw from another portion of the plurality of three-dimensional optical images; determining a geometric relationship between the first 3D model and the second 3D model based on i. a lateral three-dimensional optical image or ii. a lateral three-dimensional optical image and a contact pattern, wherein the lateral three-dimensional optical image has an image area which at least partially comprises the first subsection of the upper jaw and at least partially comprises the second subsection of the lower jaw, and wherein the contact pattern comprises a plurality of contact areas between the upper jaw and lower jaw, and deforming the first 3D model and/or the second 3D model based on the determined geometric positional relationship, said deforming step including the step of dividing each 3D model into different sections which are connected to each other by simulated spring forces, said simulated spring forces causing the deformation to be evenly distributed to the different sections of each 3D model.