Digital dentistry

A method for virtual articulation, comprising:

• acquiring two-dimensional data from two independent dental structures of a dental patient;
• generating from the two-dimensional data three-dimensional surface data for the two dental structures;
• acquiring orientation data defining a relative position of the two dental structures while in occlusion, wherein the orientation data includes three-dimensional surface data that spans the two dental structures while in occlusion;
• and
• providing a three-dimensional digital model, based upon the two-dimensional data and the orientation data, for virtually articulating the two dental structures.