We report on 82 patients who had segmental resection of the mandible and immediate reconstruction with titanium plates, which were supplemented by polymethylmethacrylate cement (n=32), glass ionomer cement (n=27), silicone (n=9), or nothing (n=14). The mean (S.D.) follow-up time was 92 (26) months. Six months after operation, 27 (46%) of the plates with polymethylmethacrylate cement or glass ionomer cement were removed. During the same time period, four (28%) of the plates were removed in the group with no additional material and two (22%) in the group that had silicone. There was a significant difference in survival time of the metal between the group with silicone and the group with glass ionomer cement (p=0.014, log rank). Although silicone performed slightly better than the reconstruction plate on its own, we doubt whether any cement is necessary.