Q. I am 45. I sucked my thumb until I was 26! I also had a slight left side cross bite. I wore an upper plate brace when I was 11 but wasn’t given anything to keep the teeth in place, so over time they went back to how they were. When I was 30 I had my front teeth capped, as you could not see any of my upper teeth (and I mean any) when I smiled. My mouth was also sucken as you can image and I had deep lines. They brought two teeth over the bottom set of teeth to rectify the cross bite and lengthed the teeth so you could see them. I have a very long lip also so you cannot see my gums. Although the caps have improved my smile and support to my mouth area vastly, my upper set of teeth is still very narrow and the uncapped teeth go inwards, not giving me much support. I am considering braces, however I am frightened the caps which I can’t afford to replace will be damaged? Please note that I am told my teeth are very healthy, it is just that the upper set are displaced. I cannot tell you how trumatic my showing no teeth, while I was growing up has been for me, with people not liking me until they got to know me etc. Even the cutting down of my otherwise healthy teeth and having caps has been a huge truma for me, I’ve never really felt comfortable with the caps. Also can you recommend a good cosmetic/orthadentist. In central or west London. Thank you.,