What should be done if an alginate impression becomes too dry?

When an alginate impression becomes too dry, the appropriate course of action is to discard the impression and remold. Alginate impressions are hydrocolloid materials that rely on maintaining a proper moisture content to accurately capture the details of a patient's anatomy. Once the material has dried out, it typically loses its dimensional stability and may not provide an accurate representation of the teeth and surrounding structures. Attempting to rehydrate it or use it as is may result in distortions, leading to inaccuracies in the final dental work. Therefore, creating a new impression ensures that the necessary details are captured accurately for future use.

While rehydrating might seem like a solution, it often does not restore the original properties of the alginate once it has dried, making remolding the only reliable option. Soaking in disinfectant could also compromise the impression further, diminishing its effectiveness for use in procedures.