Overview
ROE Dental Lab's iJIG and Digital Arches' OPTISPLINT represent hybrid verification systems bridging traditional analog approaches with digital workflows. Both require chairside resin luting but offer advantages over conventional pattern resin jigs. iJIG provides a "dental verification jig with teeth" duplicating the existing dental prosthesis, while OPTISPLINT uses scannable metal mesh frames with low-shrinkage composite (3.3% versus 5-8% for conventional resins).
What You'll Need
- Assessment of current dental full-arch workflow
- Evaluation of digital versus analog preference
- Understanding of chairside time requirements
- Cost comparison for your case volume
Step-by-Step
Understand iJIG System
iJIG is a patented sectioned, lab-fabricated duplicate of the patient existing dental prosthesis. Workflow: dental intraoral scan without dental scan bodies, extraoral scan of dental prosthesis with iJIG analogs, lab fabricates sectioned duplicate. Chairside resin luting IS required—sections arrive pre-sectioned and must be luted intraorally using Stellar dual-cure resin, GC Pattern Resin, or DuraLay.
Evaluate iJIG Advantages
Captures dental implant positions, tissue contours, VDO, and dental occlusion simultaneously. Reduces dental full-arch cases from 7+ appointments to as few as 3. Provides patient "test-drive" capability. Works with existing intraoral scanners. Scan analogs cost $22 each and are reusable.
Understand OPTISPLINT System
Uses splintable dental scan bodies, metal mesh frames, and OPTIWELD dual-cure composite for chairside assembly. Chairside luting IS required—dental scan bodies are luted through metal mesh "honeycomb." Serves dual purpose: scannable dental verification jig AND verified stone cast creation for analog workflows.
Evaluate OPTISPLINT Advantages
OPTIWELD shrinkage is only 3.3%—significantly better than 5-8% for conventional pattern resins. Enables fully digital dental immediate load workflow with only IOS. Extraoral scanning eliminates patient factors (blood, saliva). Single-arch kits: $295-445 depending on implant count.
Compare to Pure Dental implant verification
Pure metal jigs (Dental implant verification) offer maximum rigidity with NO resin component and zero shrinkage. Cannot be sectioned/reluted but rarely need correction due to superior accuracy. Both iJIG and OPTISPLINT still rely on resin luting with associated shrinkage and technique sensitivity.
Assess Digital Integration Needs
iJIG and OPTISPLINT both integrate with digital workflows through scanning capability. Pure metal jigs such as Dental implant verification systems verify physical accuracy but do not contribute scan data. Choose based on whether your workflow is primarily digital or analog.
Calculate Total Cost
OPTISPLINT: $295-445 per case (single use). iJIG: $22/analog (reusable) plus lab fees. Dental implant verification: reusable metal components with decreasing per-case cost over time. Factor in chairside luting time for iJIG/OPTISPLINT versus immediate verification with Dental implant verification.
Tips & Best Practices
- iJIG Plus+ creates chairside stone model with analogs to skip the intraoral luting step
- OPTISPLINT won the JDT WOW! 2025 Award for innovation in verification
- Both systems still require technique-sensitive chairside resin application
- Consider which approach matches your current workflow: digital-forward or verification-focused
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming hybrid systems eliminate resin limitations
Both iJIG and OPTISPLINT require chairside resin luting. Shrinkage is reduced (especially OPTISPLINT at 3.3%) but not eliminated.
Ignoring chairside time requirements
Luting sections or dental scan bodies adds time compared to immediate metal jig verification. Factor this into workflow planning.
Overlooking single-use costs
OPTISPLINT kits are single patient use at $295-445 each. Compare to reusable metal systems over your annual case volume.
Choosing based on features rather than workflow fit
The best system matches your practice workflow. Digital-first practices may prefer scannable systems; verification-focused practices may prefer pure metal accuracy.