Do alginate substitutes really produce better quality impressions than alginates?

Yes, alginate substitutes [AlgiNot (Kerr Corp.), 3M ESPE Position Penta Quick (3M ESPE), Silgimix (Sultan HealthCare), StatusBlue (Zenith Dental/DMG)] have improved properties that can result in impressions that are more accurate than alginate impressions. Alginate substitutes have higher tear energy and do not tear as easily when removed from thin sulcular areas of the mouth. Alginate substitutes have higher elastic recovery than alginates, so they recover more upon removal from the mouth, resulting in better accuracy. Alginate substitutes are also more dimensionally stable than alginates and pouring can be delayed as much as two to three weeks. Traditional alginates need to be poured quickly to produce an accurate cast because they lose water by evaporation. On the other hand, alginate substitutes are addition silicone elastomers and are not affected by water, so it is easier to disinfect them.