Systems and methods for bite-setting teeth models

1. 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.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising simulating physical force on the jaws.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying gravity force (G force) to the first jaw.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a repulsion force between jaws if a collision occurs.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the repulsion force is proportional to a square of a force of the collision.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the position of the first jaw is calculated from a model of solid body motion.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising testing position stability when a final position of the first jaw is achieved.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising applying force in a side direction to the first jaw.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a new bite setting position if a final position based on the optimal bite is unstable.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a plurality of stable bite setting positions and selecting a bite setting position with minimal distance between corresponding teeth.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining an optimal bite further comprises aligning teeth based on features selected from the group consisting of cusps, fossae, ridges, distance-based metrics, and shape-based metrics.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digital perimeter outline of the first jaw is created by fitting an arch-shaped curve to teeth in the first jaw.

13. An automated system for bite-setting computer models of teeth on a first jaw and a second jaw, comprising:

means for determining an initial position of the first jaw comprising data processing means for creating a digital perimeter outline of the initial position of the first jaw and means for positioning the digital perimeter outline of the initial position of the first jaw over a model of the second jaw, wherein the digital perimeter outline is displayed on a display device; and

means for determining an optimal bite based on the initial position of the first jaw by directly aligning the first and second jaws, wherein the means for determining an optimal bite comprises means for 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.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the means for determining an optimal bite comprises a computer.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the computer has a graphical user interface and software for viewing and modifying scanned images.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the graphical user interface and software are configured to create and display the digital perimeter outline of the initial position of the first jaw.

17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the means for determining an initial position of the first jaw comprises a scanner.