1. A computer-implemented method for specifying design parameters for at least first and second dental restoration components, the at least first and second dental restoration components being installed in a cooperating relationship, and the first dental restoration component being configured to support the second dental restoration component in the cooperating relationship, said method comprising: a. receiving, by a processor, a set of design dimensional constraints which must be satisfied for each of the first and second dental restoration components; b. receiving, by the processor, a set of design parameters to be assigned for each of the first and second dental restoration components; c. for the first dental restoration component, assigning, by the processor, a value to each of the design parameters, consistent with the constraints for the first dental restoration component; d. for the second dental restoration component, determining, by the processor, whether there is a conflict between possible values for a design parameter and the design dimensional constraints for the first dental restoration component and if there is a conflict, changing a value of at least one design parameter for the first dental restoration component and re-determining whether there is a conflict, until no conflicts exist; e. assigning, by the processor, a value to a first design parameter of the second dental restoration component, consistent with all constraints; and f. executing a penalty function to calculate an acceptable set of design parameter values until values have been assigned to all design parameters of the first dental restoration component and the second dental restoration component and no constraint or parameter value conflicts exist; wherein the penalty function includes at least one property selected from the group consisting of having the set of design parameter values that are continuous and increase monotonically away from a center value; at a center value, the parameter value is minimum and near zero, as is its first derivative; the parameter value has a continuously and monotonically increasing first derivative or decreasing for negative deviations, within a range of interest; at specified parameter values of the first design parameter or second design parameter, both above and below a center value, the penalty function has a value of unity and a controlled first derivative; at predetermined limit values for the first design parameter or second design parameter, both above and below a center value, the penalty function has specified penalty values and specified first derivatives; and has specified slopes beyond the limit values, equal to a first derivatives at the limit values; and wherein the first and second dental restoration components are an abutment and a crown, respectively, and wherein the abutment is configured to connect the crown to a dental implant.