14 Year Old Son's Jaw Issues?

Son is 14, saw ortho late due to illness. We were told his jaw is set too far back/has narrow airway, and future may be sleep apnea, TMJ. Said that he should have been treated younger with mara and too late to help jaw now with only option surgery, but he can be made ready for surgery with braces.my son did own research and found some orthos start at age 14-15 with mara's and have great results.do docs differ on whether this appliance can still work at this age for the jaw? are we out of luck?