A Practical Guide to Use and Methods of Disinfection of Alginate

Alginates are classified as elastic impression materials. Within this elastic category it is further subdivided into irreversible hydrocolloids. The reason they are referred to as irreversible is due to the fact that once set in gel form they cannot convert back into sol form. They are widely used in contemporary dentistry for impression making especially in partially edentulous subjects. One of the reasons for its wide usage is that it is comparatively cheaper in price as compared to other impression materials. In addition to it, minimum armamentarium is needed for its manipulation. Disinfection of alginate impression materials is necessary for prevention of cross-contamination. Alginate undergoes changes in its dimension if it is kept in a disinfectant for an extended period of time. In this contribution the method of using alginate alongside the different techniques used for its disinfection and their effect have been reviewed.