What is the setting expansion of casting investment estimated to be?

The setting expansion of casting investment is an important property that measures the dimensional change of a material as it sets, which is critical in the context of dental casting procedures. The correct range of 0.1 to 0.5% reflects the typical expansion that occurs due to the setting reaction of casting investments, which include components that allow for the accurate reproduction of the dental impression made.

This range is significant because it indicates a balance; while some expansion is necessary to compensate for the subsequent contraction that may occur during other processes like cooling and solidification of the cast material, too much expansion can lead to issues with fitting and precision of the final dental restoration. Understanding this specific range helps practitioners ensure optimal results in their dental casts, thereby improving the accuracy and quality of crowns, bridges, and other dental appliances.

The other ranges presented do not align with the typical values found in the literature for setting expansion, making them unsuitable for characterizing casting investments in dental procedures.