What is commonly used as the impression material for making a denture?

The commonly used impression material for making a denture is alginate. Alginate is a hydrocolloid material that is favored due to its ability to capture fine details of the oral structures while being easy to handle. Its quick-setting property allows for a fast and efficient impression process, making it a practical choice in dental practices.

Alginate impressions are also relatively inexpensive and can be taken easily in a clinical setting. This material is particularly valuable when making preliminary impressions for complete or partial dentures, as it provides a good balance of accuracy and flexibility. Once the impression is taken, it can be used to create models that serve as the basis for denture fabrication.

While other materials like silicone and polyether can also be used for impressions, they are typically more expensive and may not be as suitable for the initial stages when a less detailed impression is sufficient. Wax, on the other hand, does not retain its shape as well for the purpose of denture impressions and is primarily used for bite registration or outlining. Therefore, alginate remains the preferred choice in this context for denture impressions.