Impressions are an essential part of any dental practice, being the go-to solution when an impression is needed, and accuracy isn’t paramount. It’s quick mixing and setup time makes it perfect for in-office visits, and the ability to control its set time through the use of variant water temperatures ensures you have time to set it for a good fit. While all forms of alginate share these properties, the different forms show variances in a set time and physical properties such as dimensional stability.
| Brand/Model | Setting Time | Dust-Free | Tear Strength | Flavor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeltrate Plus | 1 min 45 sec | Yes | High | Mint | $26.99 |
| Hydrogum 5 | 1 min 30 sec | Yes | High | Mint | $29.99 |
| Algin-X Ultra | 1 min 30 sec | Yes | High | Bubble Gum | $39.99 |
| Kromopan 100 | 1 min 30 sec | Yes | High | Mint | $45.99 |
| Perfect Mix | 1 min 30 sec | Yes | High | Mint | $29.99 |
The two forms of alginate available are powder, the most common form, and paste. This latter is available in two styles separated by viscosity. Tray viscosity is the thicker of the two and intended for use in standard impression trays. The syringe is the other viscosity available. Each of the two forms has its pros and cons.
- Powder Alginate – The more popular of the two varieties, powder alginates, are mixed with water to create the impression material.
- Paste Alginate – Studies of alginate techniques reveal that this form of alginate forms up faster due to a shorter gelation time and provides better surface quality than powders.
In both cases, a reaction indicator is often integrated with the mix to provide a visual indicator of when the mixture has correctly set. This feature, combined with a dustless mixture, defines the most desirable alginates on the market today. We searched through some of the industries’ most respected sources to discover the alginates that are prominently preferred by dental practitioners. Included in our search were Dental Town, Henry Schein, and Patterson.
1. Cavex CreamAlginate 500 grams by Cavex Holland
Product Description
Cavex Cream Alginate is a high-quality impression material designed for fast, accurate dental impressions. Known for its creamy consistency and precision, this alginate offers comfort for patients and ease of use for professionals.
Product Overview
This dust-free, fast-setting alginate delivers exceptional detail reproduction up to 5 microns. It features a smooth mix, ideal elasticity, and a snap-set finish, ensuring a stable and accurate impression every time. Its standard setting profile includes a 30-second mix time and a total working time of 3.5 minutes, with a 1.5-minute intraoral setting. The pleasant scent and color further enhance the overall impression-taking experience.
Key Features
- Dust-free powder for cleaner handling
- Fast-setting with 30-second mixing time
- High tear resistance and elasticity
- 5-micron precision for excellent detail
- Creamy consistency that is scan-compatible
Common Applications
- Preliminary impressions
- Diagnostic models
- Orthodontic models
- Mouth guards and trays
Technical Specifications
Product Name: Cavex Cream Alginate
Brand: Cavex Holland
Tip Type: Not applicable
Design Number: Not applicable
Handle Type: Not applicable
Number of Ends: Not applicable
Manufacturer Name: Cavex Holland
Package Quantity: 500 grams
Product Type: Alginate Impression Material
Customer Ratings
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (Based on 3 reviews from Dentaltix)
Awarded: 5 stars, 97% rating by The Dental Advisor, Editor’s Choice, 2020 Top Award Winner
Customer Feedback
- Users appreciate the smooth, creamy texture and easy handling
- Highly rated for its fast set time and excellent detail capture
- Praised for being patient-friendly with pleasant scent and color
- Preferred by clinicians for its consistency and scanning compatibility
2. Hydrogum 5 Alginate, 12-1 Lb Bags by Zhermack
Product Description
Hydrogum 5 Alginate by Zhermack is a fast-setting, high-stability impression material designed for efficiency and comfort in modern dental practices. Known for its rapid set time and pleasant Mangustan scent, it enhances both clinical workflow and patient experience.
Product Overview
This extra-fast alginate offers a working time of 1 minute and 5 seconds, with an intraoral setting time of just 45 seconds and total set time of 1 minute and 50 seconds. It boasts an elastic recovery of 98% and strain resistance of 13%, making it a resilient and flexible material. Hydrogum 5 delivers a homogenous consistency that simplifies handling and improves accuracy during impression-taking.
Key Features
- Extra-fast setting time of 1:50 minutes
- 98% elastic recovery for high flexibility
- 13% strain resistance for added durability
- Smooth, homogenous consistency
- Pleasant Mangustan scent for patient comfort
Common Applications
- Preliminary impressions
- Orthodontic molds
- Study models
- Removable prosthetics
Technical Specifications
Product Name: Hydrogum 5 Alginate
Brand: Zhermack
Tip Type: Not applicable
Design Number: Not applicable
Handle Type: Not applicable
Number of Ends: Not applicable
Manufacturer Name: Zhermack
Package Quantity: 12 bags (1 lb each)
Product Type: Alginate Impression Material
Customer Ratings
Rating: Not currently rated (Net32)
Endorsed by DentalTown community for speed, reliability, and ease of use
Customer Feedback
- Valued for its rapid setting and time-saving benefits
- Appreciated by dental professionals for high flexibility and durability
- Smooth mix reduces retakes and improves patient satisfaction
- Ideal for high-volume offices needing reliable impression performance
3. Triphasix Alginate Impression Material by Parkell
Product Description
Triphasix Alginate by Parkell is a budget-friendly impression material designed to deliver reliable performance with patient comfort in mind. Its dense, smooth formulation ensures consistent results while maintaining affordability.
Product Overview
This alginate captures fine details down to 50 microns and offers strong dimensional stability, reducing the risk of distortion during handling. Triphasix features a color-change indicator that transitions from deep pink to white, signaling readiness for intraoral setting. The formula remains stable for up to five days, making it suitable for scheduling flexibility. Its french vanilla flavor further enhances the patient experience.
Key Features
- Detail accuracy up to 50 microns
- Color-changing formula for easy visual cue
- Pleasant french vanilla flavor for patient comfort
- Dimensional stability maintained for up to five days
- Smooth, dense consistency for precise impressions
Common Applications
- General dental impressions
- Diagnostic models
- Removable prosthetics
- Study casts
Technical Specifications
Product Name: Triphasix Alginate Impression Material
Brand: Parkell
Manufacturer Name: Parkell
Product Type: Alginate Impression Material
Customer Feedback
- Praised for its affordability without sacrificing detail
- Users find the color-change feature helpful for timing accuracy
- Appreciated for maintaining shape and detail up to five days
- Well-received by patients for its mild and pleasant flavor
4. KromoPan by Lascod
Product Description
Kromopan by Lascod is a chromatic alginate impression material designed for speed, durability, and ease of use. Its color-changing formula and long-lasting stability make it a reliable choice for dental professionals seeking efficiency and patient comfort.
Product Overview
Kromopan stands out for its extended dimensional stability—lasting over seven days, making it one of the longest-lasting alginates available. With a quick 30-second setting time, a dust-free composition, and color indicators that guide the mixing and setting phases, this alginate ensures both convenience and accuracy. The refreshing mint flavor adds a pleasant touch to the impression-taking process.
Key Features
- Chromatic color-change system for easy timing
- Over 7 days of dimensional stability
- Fast 30-second setting time
- Dust-free powder for clean preparation
- Mint flavor for enhanced patient comfort
Common Applications
- Preliminary impressions
- Study models
- Orthodontic molds
- Removable prosthetics
Technical Specifications
Product Name: Kromopan
Brand: Lascod
Tip Type: Not applicable
Handle Type: Not applicable
Manufacturer Name: Lascod
Product Type: Chromatic Alginate Impression Material
Customer Ratings
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (Based on 89 reviews on Net32)
Customer Feedback
- Highly rated for its long-term stability and fast setting time
- Praised for ease of use, especially the visual color-change cues
- Loved by patients for its mint flavor and quick application
- Considered a top economical choice by professionals for dependable results
5. KromaFaze Alginate by Kerr Dental
Product Description
KromaFaze Alginate by Kerr Dental is a high-performance impression material designed for speed, strength, and patient comfort. With both fast and regular setting options, it accommodates a variety of clinical needs while ensuring accurate and efficient results.
Product Overview
This alginate features a user-friendly color-changing formula that provides visual cues for mixing and setting. KromaFaze allows for tray removal just 30 seconds after seating, helping to streamline procedures. The mint scent enhances the patient experience, while its strong, durable formulation ensures reliable impressions—even in demanding cases. The powder mix is easy to prepare and offers consistent results.
Key Features
- Tray removal possible just 30 seconds after seating
- Available in both fast and regular setting options
- Color-changing formula for easy process tracking
- Mint scent for patient comfort
- Durable formulation suitable for tough impressions
Common Applications
- Preliminary impressions
- Crowns, bridges, and removable prosthetics
- Study models
- Orthodontic applications
Technical Specifications
Product Name: KromaFaze Alginate
Brand: Kerr Dental
Tip Type: Not applicable
Design Number: Not applicable
Handle Type: Not applicable
Number of Ends: Not applicable
Manufacturer Name: Kerr Dental
Package Quantity: Not specified
Product Type: Alginate Impression Material
Customer Feedback
- Praised for its fast tray removal and process efficiency
- Valued for the choice between fast and regular set times
- Easy to mix with consistent texture
- Color indicator is helpful for accurate application
- Preferred by clinicians for high-strength performance in complex cases
Our Final Assessment
Accuracy and high tear strength are the two features that any dentist looks for when searching for reliable alginate. Our top list has been carefully selected based on dentist recommendations, and out of our list, we at O360 recommend Cavex Cream for its rating with the Dental Advisor, its easy to work with formula, and its price.
Our second-best choice runs down to Kromopan due to its ability to last longer than seven days and its 30 second set time. Both of these choices present themselves as highly reliable sources for alginate, as these brands have been recommended by both DentalTown’s critics and members alike.
Both have relatively inexpensive pricing and can be purchased in various quantities, all the while providing the same amount of quality that dentists look for in their products. Our other mentioned products, such as Kromofaze and Triphasix, also provide relatively good quality in their alginate mixtures but don’t provide relief when it comes to their price and their set times. Overall, these selections have been curated by our members at 0360, as our marketing company aims to provide our services with an understanding of our dentists and healthcare members.
