Hi Kitt,

The "old" cement that was used 50 years ago still only has a 10-15 year lifespan if that. Once the adhesive bond is gone the cement starts to dissintegrate. My intention for posting this fact is so that you and others realize that there is no dental cement that lasts indefinitely, not in the past and not in the present. Some dentists (very few from my experience) still use the older form of cementation simply because that is the material that they prefer to work with, but it has nothing to do with it lasting any longer than any other one because it doesn't.

It's great that you have taken good care of your bridge and have been very careful with chewing on it! However, all teeth (bridgework included) are suppose to touch their opposing teeth when you chew. The only exception to this would be an open bite in which the upper and lower arches do not come together properly or if there was a severe overbite causing the front teeth to protrude way past the lower ones. Perhaps you have one of those conditions?

Bryanna

My dentist uses the old cement because he feels it works better than the new through his experience. It is not because that is the material he prefers to work with.

I have an overbite so that is why my bridge and the teeth it is anchored to do not touch any other teeth when I'm chewing or otherwise. Guess I am lucky about that.

I am under no illusion that my bridge won't give out one day. But I frankly love the 48 years I have had so far with it and no trouble.

Everyone's mouth is different and others will have to do what they have to do and frankly I never ever heard of bridges being recemented every 10-15 years until the beginning of this year. That costs a bunch of $$$$.

So thank you and I will stick with what I am doing. I am lucky at that to have saved a ton of money by not "having to recement" my bridge. And again, I am under no illusion that it will last forever. But hey, 48 years is good