Digital maxillomandibular relationship and mandibular motion recording by using an optical jaw tracking system to acquire a dynamic virtual patient

A technique for digitally recording the maxillomandibular relationship, including the maximum intercuspation and centric occlusion and the patient's mandibular motion, by using an optical jaw tracking system is described. Advantages of this technique include the digital registration of the maxillomandibular relationship and mandibular motion. This technique incorporates the mandibular motion into the 3-dimensional (3D) virtual patient representation to integrate the 3D dynamic virtual patient visualization.