What is imbibition in the context of alginate impressions?

Imbibition refers to the phenomenon where a material absorbs water or liquid. In the context of alginate impressions, when the alginate material interacts with water, it can take up additional moisture, which can lead to changes in the impression's size and shape. This process is critical because if alginate absorbs too much water, it can swell, resulting in distorted impressions that may not accurately capture the details of the oral structures. Understanding imbibition is vital for dental professionals as it emphasizes the importance of handling alginate impressions properly to ensure the accuracy of dental casts and treatment planning. Knowing this helps in optimizing the dimension stability of the alginate impressions throughout their use.