What does alginate primarily help with during dental procedures?

Alginate is primarily used for making impressions or molds of the oral structures, which allows for accurate models of the mouth to be created. This material is ideal for capturing details of the teeth and soft tissue because it is flexible yet dimensionally stable once set. The impressions made with alginate are crucial for various applications, such as crafting custom trays for whitening, orthodontic treatment, and making dentures.

The other options focus on different aspects of dental care. Filling cavities involves restorative materials that provide structural integrity, while numbing the patient's mouth is achieved through local anesthetics, which are not related to alginate. Cleaning dental instruments is a practice that ensures hygiene and prevents cross-contamination, using detergents and sterilants instead of impressional materials like alginate.