What happens to gypsum casts when they are soaked in non slurry water?

When gypsum casts are soaked in non-slurry water, surface detail can indeed be lost due to the interaction between the water and the material. Gypsum is a hydrophilic substance, which means it has an affinity for water. When exposed to non-slurry (clean) water, especially over extended periods, the water can leach out some of the soluble components from the surface of the gypsum cast. This can result in a softening of the outer layer, leading to a loss of fine detail and potentially changing the overall appearance of the cast. The intricacies and sharpness of the details that are critical for accurate dental models can be compromised.

The other options suggest consequences that do not occur with non-slurry soaking. For instance, increased porosity or a weakened structure does not directly result from exposure to non-slurry water; those factors are typically associated with prolonged soaking in slurry water or excessive exposure to moisture. Therefore, the focus on the loss of surface detail aligns with the effects observed when gypsum casts are immersed in non-slurry water.