US Patent 10398539 System and method for aligning virtual dental models

A method of aligning a virtual model of an upper jaw (502) and a virtual model of a lower jaw (504) in a bite position includes matching first facial surfaces (520b) of a virtual model of a side impression (506) with facial surfaces (520a) of the virtual model of the upper jaw (502) and matching second facial surfaces (521b) of a virtual model of a side impression (506) with facial surfaces (521a) of the virtual model of the lower jaw (504). At least a portion of the first facial surfaces (520b) of the virtual model of the side impression (506) are the same as the facial surfaces (520a) of the virtual model of the upper jaw (502). At least a portion of the second facial surfaces (521b) of the virtual model of the side impression (506) are the same as the facial surfaces (521a) of the virtual model of the lower jaw (504).