- Among the common dental impression materials, hydrophilicity plays a crucial role in accurately capturing the details of the oral tissues, especially in a moist environment.

- Alginate is naturally hydrophilic due to its water-based nature; however, it is less dimensionally stable and more prone to distortion over time.
- Polysulfide is also relatively hydrophilic but tends to have a strong odor and longer setting time.
- Condensation silicone is less hydrophilic compared to the others, which may cause issues when recording impressions in a wet environment.
- Polyether impression materials are known for their excellent intrinsic hydrophilicity, allowing them to accurately capture fine details even in the presence of saliva or moisture. This hydrophilic property is due to the presence of ether groups in their chemical structure, which attract and hold water molecules. Therefore, polyether materials exhibit the highest degree of hydrophilicity among the options provided.

This characteristic makes polyether impression materials particularly advantageous for impressions requiring superior accuracy in moist conditions.

Reference: Craig's Restorative Dental Materials, 13th Edition, Volume 1, Chapter 6 (Dental Impression Materials), Page 180-185