Minnesota Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) State Practice Exam

Self-cured sealants are formulated to harden through a chemical reaction that occurs after mixing two components, typically a base and a catalyst, which initiate the curing process. This type of sealant does not require external light sources for hardening, distinguishing it from light-cured sealants that rely on ultraviolet or visible light for curing.

The curing mechanism of self-cured sealants ensures that they can fully harden in regions that might be difficult to access with light, making them particularly useful in various clinical applications. This characteristic highlights their versatility and effectiveness in achieving a strong bond in dental and construction applications where a strong polymerized matrix is essential.

In contrast, light-cured sealants depend solely on light exposure for their curing, and dual-cured sealants use both light and a chemical reaction, making self-cured sealants unique in their reliance entirely on the chemical reaction process for hardening. Non-cured sealants, on the other hand, do not undergo a curing process and remain in a soft state, which does not meet the criteria established by this question.