What is a benefit of using PVS as an impression material?

Using polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) as an impression material is particularly advantageous due to its excellent dimensional stability. This property is crucial for dental impressions because it ensures that the shape and features of the impression are accurately maintained over time. Dimensional stability means that the material will not deform or shrink significantly after it has set, which is essential for making precise dental restorations or appliances that fit well in the patient's mouth. This characteristic allows dental professionals to create highly accurate replicas of the oral structures, leading to better fitting crowns, bridges, and other restorations.

While other options may have their own merits, such as flexibility or cost, they do not directly address the core requirement for longevity and accuracy in the impressions. Immediate setting may also be beneficial for workflow efficiency but is secondary to the need for ensuring dimensional integrity of the impression over time.