Should I switch orthodontists and what's the truth about teeth extractions?

I’ve had my braces on for a year now. In the beginning, we decided not to extract any teeth because she wanted to see the process and I’d heard mixed opinions about it (and honestly, the idea scares me, I have some bad childhood memories tied to dental treatments) My teeth are straightening, but something feels off with my bite. Even though my orthodontist keeps telling me everything looks fine, I constantly feel like I need to “search” for the correct position for my jaw just to close my mouth comfortably and she has made no plans to use elastics.

A year into treatment, she suddenly suggested removing a premolar on my bottom left. My first thought was that this would create asymmetry. She’s a nice person, but there have been moments that made me unsure (for example she’s accidentally hit my lips with the tools several times, she rarely explains her plan and when I ask, she usually says something vague like “time will tell” or “it’s looking good”) She also only changed my wire once in the entire year. On top of that, I’ve already paid the full treatment fee.

Because I started feeling uncomfortable, I went for a second opinion. (And a third, both basically said the same) The second orthodontist immediately validated how I felt and explained what she would have done differently from the start and told me that my upper teeth come too far forward compared to my lower teeth. In her view, extracting two upper premolars and two lower premolars would have been necessary to balance my bite and fit my facial structure better.

Right now, I’m completely torn as I don’t know what the right decision would be. I’m definitely planning to talk to my current orthodontist, but I’m unsure whether I should stay with her or transfer to the second one.

Another thing I’m really confused about is extractions themselves. I know orthodontists study for years and understand the science behind these decisions, but online some people claim extractions can cause jaw recession, make the face look sunken or change the profile in negative ways. I don’t know what’s true and what’s just fear mongering. All I want is to understand what’s genuinely best for my comfort andfacial structure, so if anyone has any advice I'd be very thankful 🥹