Underbite - surgery or no surgery?

[Mayunator]

Hi everyone! I’ve been creeping along these forums for the last few weeks and finally took the plunge to create am account.

I’m hoping to get some feedback! I recently went for a consultation with an orthodontist to look at my class III malocclusion underbite.

A little bit about my ‘teeth’ background - I previously wore braces from 2005 - 2010 (Age 15 - 20) and wore a palette expander for the duration of the treatment to expand both my upper and lower jaw. My orthodontist at the time tried to correct my underbite and misaligned teeth by tipping my front teeth forward to camouflage them. Being as I was anxious to conclude treatment after 5 years, very slow progress, and ‘straight to me’ teeth, I asked to be debraced prematurely. My bite wasn’t exactly perfect, but it was functional.

Fast forward 8 years later, and my underbite has more or less shifted back to when I was younger. (Approximately 3mm off on either side.) I decided to take the plunge and consulted with an orthodontist recently who gave me two options as a now nearly 27 year old female:

1) Surgical route- Would require the extraction of two teeth, and then upper and lower jaw surgery after a year and two months of the treatment, followed by another 9 months or so of braces after. Different facial profile,

2) Non-Surgical route: Extract 4 teeth, and he would be able to correct the bite - same facial profile (which I have no qualms with the current) and my bottom lip would be tucked in.

He is confident that regardless of which option I choose, he will be able to create a functional bite for me and create the aesthetic I so desire. He did advise that for ‘perfect’ results, he would recommend the surgery.

My question is - has anyone with an underbite ever opted to go the non surgical route to correct their underbite?

I know many people I’ve spoken to who have pursued the surgical route swear by it, however, the very idea of going through a surgical procedure of that nature (I made the rookie mistake of googling it) left me quite literally physically ill for two days and I got very little sleep over it.

Thanks so much in advance!

*Apologies in advance if this is a duplicate question, I did search and saw a similar question of this nature but it didn't receive any responses.*

[Mayunator]

For some perspective, here are some photos of my teeth as of this week's consultation with the orthodontist:

http://s800.photobucket.com/user/Mayuna ... 1.jpg.html

http://s800.photobucket.com/user/Mayuna ... 5.jpg.html

http://s800.photobucket.com/user/Mayuna ... 1.jpg.html

[Seaunicorn]

I’m curious about your facial profile! Are your lower jaw/chin prominent? Moving the teeth in the lower jaw back when the jaw is too far forward often don’t look very good (in my opinion). The bottom lip will be tucked in but that usually creates a situation where chin is further out than the bottom lip and that often looks quite weird.