Methods for recognizing or identifying tooth types using digital 3D models of teeth. The methods include receiving a segmented digital 3D model of teeth and selecting a digital 3D model of a tooth from the segmented digital 3D model. An aggregation of the plurality of distinct features of the tooth is computed to generate a single feature describing the digital 3D model of the tooth. A type of the tooth is identified based upon the aggregation, which can include comparing the aggregation with features corresponding with known tooth types. The methods also include identifying a type of tooth, without segmenting it from an arch, based upon tooth widths and a location of the tooth within the arch.