Alginate impression materials, dimensional stability and surface detail sharpness following treatment with disinfectant solutions.

A study was made of the influence of six dissimilar disinfectants on the dimensional stability and the surface detail sharpness of four alginate impression materials. All combinations of alginates and disinfectant solutions produced quite acceptable results as regards dimensional stability one hour after the impression material had been sprayed with the disinfectant. As regards surface detail sharpness one hour after this spraying certain combinations of alginates and disinfectant solutions showed better results than others. Immersion of the alginates in disinfectant solutions for one hour or more produced unacceptable changes.