Hello, I have read your inquiry and understand your confusion. I would need more details to give you my opinion. I can tell from the opinions expressed that you must have a large discrepancy between your jaws. Do you have an underbite or overbite? Do you have a very narrow upper jaw? For adults, this is a common jaw relationship that I see which can not be corrected with just braces. In children, since the jaw is growing, guidance to the jaw with the pressure of braces can accomplish both tooth movement and jaw changes. Yes, as an adult serious surgery would be necessary and braces alone would not be able to alter the jaw relationship. No, pulling your teeth does not solve the jaw relationship and you risk difficulty with functioning of the dentures. You need additional opinions to decide the risks and benefits of such a surgery. I can not tell with out X-rays, photos, models and clinical exam why the surgeon fed there is a risk of your situation getting worse. You are not getting a report of a damaged joint needing joint surgery which means anything you do to prevent stress on the joint is beneficial. Follow your suggestions of your dentist. This is a common treatment that I recommend to my patients. You need to relieve some pressure on your jaw. You most likely grind your teeth at night adding stress. The guard slows down wear and reduces muscle spasms. This can take weeks to notice relief, adjusting of guard and may need a stronger medication for relief initially such as Flexeril which is one for muscle relaxation or steroids. Consider an opinion from the dental specialist called a prosthodontist. Thank you for your inquiry. I hope my opinion gives you some guidance and that I have been helpful. I hope you will feel better with use of a mouth guard.