Background: Alginate impression materials are effective tools for accurately recording oral and dental anatomy in a convenient, cost-effective, and patient-friendly manner. Despite these advantages, specific limitations of this irreversible hydrocolloid have prompted initiatives to enhance the properties of traditional alginates

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the dimensional stability of five commercially available newer alginate impression materials after immersion in different disinfectant solutions, assessing the effects of syneresis and imbibition over time.

Materials and Methods: Five alginate materials—Cavex CA37®, Cavex Color Change®, Tulip®, Cavex Cream Alginate®, and TOL®—were tested using 10 samples per material in three immersion media: Practice Safe® (alcohol-based), Clorox® (1:10 sodium hypochlorite), and artificial saliva (control). Standardized disc-shaped specimens were prepared using a split mold and initially weighed (W1). Following immersion for manufacturer-recommended times, samples were reweighed at 30 minutes and 24 hours, and percentage weight change was calculated. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results: Significant differences in dimensional change were observed among disinfectant media (p < 0.05). Practice Safe® produced the greatest weight loss in all materials, while Clorox® resulted in the least dimensional change, showing mild imbibition except in TOL®. Cavex Cream Alginate® demonstrated the smallest 30-minute dimensional alteration when immersed in Clorox®, whereas Cavex CA37® showed the highest stability during delayed pouring. All materials exhibited notable changes after 24 hours regardless of disinfectant.

Conclusion: Sodium hypochlorite (Clorox®) demonstrated superior preservation of dimensional stability compared with alcohol-based disinfectant. Cavex Cream Alginate® is recommended for immediate pouring, while Cavex CA37® performs best when short delays are anticipated.

Keywords: Alginate, Disinfection, Dimensional Stability, Sodium Hypochlorite, Impression Materials.