Dear Dr. Moore,

I am researching my options, learning more about my circumstances and would very much appreciate you opinion on my teeth and underbite.
I am 43 years old and have reluctantly tolerated my underbite all my life. For various reasons I was advised not to have orthodontic treatment in my teens. It was a choice I didn’t make but one I very much regret. My teeth are small, badly formed with many missing teeth. To rectify this I have 3 bridges which incorporate most of my upper jaw. (One is 25 years old and is 6 teeth long, but has stood the test of time!). The teeth on my bottom jaw are tiny (still milk?, unsure), with many gaps and missing teeth. My front teeth touch together to smile but to chew and, for my back teeth to meet, my lower jaw has to protrude to the point where all the bottom teeth overlap the top teeth and the edge of my bottom teeth rubs aginst my upper lip. I dream of a nice smile with no underbite. A few questions you may be able to help me with if possible. Am I too old to have anything done? Would indeed anything be possible considering my upper jaw is mainly bridges? What treatment would be available to me? What are the likely costs? I understand that only after examination an accurate indication can be given, but a rough idea would perhaps try and help me reach the decision as to whether this is a route I want to pursue once and for all. Or do I just carry on being me (which isn’t too bad) with an underbite but reluctant to smile?
Many thanks
Kind regards
Marina