Effect of storage period of alginate impressions following spray with disinfectant solutions on the dimensional accuracy and deformation of stone models

This study investigated the effect of storage period on dimensional change and deformation of stone models to determine an acceptable period of alginate impression storage in a sealed bag after spraying with disinfectant solution. Two alginate impression products: Aroma Fine DFIII and Alginoplast EM, characterized by greater or smaller contraction in 100% relative humidity, were used. The impressions were sprayed with 1% sodium hypochlorite or 2% glutaraldehyde solution and then stored in sealed bags. The storage periods were I hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, and 4 hours. The sectional profiles of the stone models obtained from each impression were measured using a three-dimensional coordinate measuring system. The results indicated that the impression characterized by greater contraction in 100% relative humidity should not be stored for even I hour, and that storage for up to 3 hours of the impression characterized by smaller contraction was clinically acceptable.