Extracting 11 teeth?

My orthodontist wants to remove 11 teeth. Yes, 11. I am a 17 year old girl who just received braces 2 weeks and three days ago. I suffer from 3 impacted baby teeth currently, but the braces were put on around them and the teeth to be extracted were not given a bracket. 11 of them, to be exact. A few years ago, I got a few other impacted teeth removed. All grew back in line except for my lower left canine, which grew in back of my other teeth. In preparation for braces, when I was supposed to get them years ago from another office, all 4 of my wisdom teeth were removed to make room for my canines to be extracted and slowly anchored into place. I switched orthodontists. They informed me that they would be removing my 3 baby teeth, which is to be expected. They also will be removing all 4 of the cuspids next to them, I believe they are called bicuspids. The two on the top would be removed to make room, and the two on the bottom so my teeth would match. I understood this.

However, on my first consultation, I noticed for almost everyone that came in, they planned to extract their second molars. I informed my mom of this. When it was time to get my braces, I was informed they also planned to do this to me, which makes me think it\'s common practice in their office, but not necessarily necessary. Just to be clear, they will remove 3 canines, 4 cuspids and all 4 of my second molars. I chew primarily at the back of my mouth and this worries me. When getting the braces put on, I informed the orthodontic assistant that I had 3 baby canines. He told me the canine on the bottom was not a baby tooth. He proceeded to ask the assistant next to him what teeth were needing to be extracted, referring to them by letter while seeming very unsure, and she then alerted him that the bottom canine was a baby tooth. This was before the doctor came out.

He seemed to be studying what exactly the teeth to be extracted were called before she came, as if he had no clue. I don\'t mean to undermine anyone but I felt very uncomfortable at his lack of knowledge. However, the doctor came out and did not comment on anything about it. She just asked him what the named of the teeth were that he just studied. He proceeded to put springs on the teeth that would be extracted and left out all 4 of my second molars. I am wondering why it is necessary to remove 8 teeth in order to make room for 3 more. My teeth are not large and I currently have an inch of room on the bottom, and more room to come on the top once my gap closes. I do not want to live with the minimal amount of 20 teeth, because they will not fill up my smile. With the removal of my second molars, i would have 2-2.5 inches of free space, on each side of the bottom row, and 1.5-2 inches on each side of the top. Do they also have to make the teeth \"match?\" I have not yet gone for my first tightening and I am really questioning whether I should switch orthodontists. Pulling eight healthy, permanent teeth was a big red flag for me. Thank you in advance.