What is an important characteristic of alginate impression material?

An important characteristic of alginate impression material is its elasticity and flexibility. These properties allow alginate to accurately capture the details of the dental arch and surrounding structures when used in impressions. The material's elasticity ensures that once it sets, it can be removed from the mouth without distortion, which is crucial for creating precise dental models. This flexibility also aids in ensuring that the impression material can adapt to the contours of the teeth and gums effectively, enhancing the impression's overall quality.

While it is true that alginate can be used only once, this characteristic does not highlight the material's fundamental quality in terms of performance during the impression-taking process. Additionally, alginate does not require refrigeration under normal circumstances, although it might be stored that way for longevity. However, this fact does not pertain to its inherent characteristics. Lastly, while alginate is generally stable under normal temperature variations encountered in dental practice, it does not perform optimally under extreme temperature changes, making the elasticity and flexibility the most relevant and distinguishing feature of the material.