MARPE Jaw Expansion
Non-surgical palatal expansion for adults and teens. Widen your jaw, improve your breathing, and create space for a fuller smile — without jaw surgery.
Traditional palatal expanders only work for children. MARPE changes everything — delivering true skeletal jaw expansion for adults and teens, without surgery, without general anesthesia, and without hospital stays.
A MARPE expander (Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) uses tiny screws placed directly into the palatal bone to achieve true skeletal expansion. At The Art of Braces, board-certified orthodontist Dr. Saoly Benson offers MARPE as a modern arch expander for adults — creating significant skeletal jaw expansion, improving bite alignment, relieving crowding, and enhancing nasal breathing.
Meet Dr. Benson →MARPE Can Address
Narrow Palate
True skeletal widening of the upper jaw when traditional expanders aren't effective.
Posterior Crossbite
Corrects skeletal discrepancies where upper teeth bite inside lower teeth.
Severe Crowding
Creates real space without extracting healthy teeth, resolving crowding at its source.
Mouth Breathing
Widens nasal passages to promote healthier nasal breathing patterns.
Nasal Obstruction
Enlarges the nasal cavity, improving airflow and reducing obstruction.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
May help reduce snoring and obstructive sleep apnea by expanding the airway.
Before & After MARPE Results
Real patient transformations showing the power of non-surgical jaw expansion.
Benefits of Jaw Expansion
A modern alternative to jaw surgery for adults and teens with narrow palates.
Minimally Invasive
Much less invasive and much less expensive compared to jaw surgery. No general anesthesia or hospital stay required.
No Extractions Needed
MARPE creates real skeletal space, often eliminating the need to remove healthy teeth to resolve crowding.
Wider, Fuller Smile
Expanding the palate widens your smile arc, reducing dark corridors for a more attractive, broader smile.
Better Breathing
Widening the nasal passages enhances airflow, reduces mouth breathing, and promotes healthier nasal breathing patterns.
Improved Sleep Quality
By expanding the airway, MARPE may help reduce symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
Stable Results
Much more stabilized expansion with less tendency for relapse compared to surgery. True bone remodeling creates lasting change.
Improved Tongue Position
A wider palate increases tongue space, encouraging proper tongue posture and reducing tongue-related airway obstruction.
Works for Adults
Unlike traditional expanders limited to children, MARPE is effective even when the palatal suture has begun to fuse.
Your MARPE Treatment Timeline
From evaluation to removal — here's what to expect at each stage of your jaw expansion journey.
Pre-Treatment Evaluation & Planning
Dr. Benson assesses your intraoral imaging, extraoral imaging, and CBCT to co-design a custom MARPE with a specialty lab. Each MARPE is unique and completely customized to the patient.
Placement of the MARPE Appliance
If needed, a mid-palatal piezocorticotomy is performed first under local anesthesia. Then the MARPE is securely attached to the upper teeth and anchored with 4–8 TADs in the palate.
Activation Phase
The patient will activate the MARPE every 2–3 days as instructed by Dr. Benson. This phase typically lasts 3–6 months. Regular follow-ups ensure progress is monitored.
Orthodontic Treatment & Retention
After achieving the desired expansion, the MARPE is left in place for an additional 6 months to stabilize. Braces or aligners are then added. Total expander time is about 9–12 months.
MARPE & TAD Removal
Once expansion is stable, the remaining MARPE and TADs are removed. The patient continues with orthodontic treatment to finish correcting alignment and bite.
Some patients may require an additional procedure called a mid-palatal piezocorticotomy — a minimally invasive in-office procedure done by Dr. Benson under local anesthesia. Piezosurgery uses ultrasonic micro-vibrations to precisely cut bone while preserving soft tissues like gums, nerves, and blood vessels, with very little to no post-operative pain and swelling.
Piezocorticotomy
Uses ultrasonic micro-vibrations to precisely cut bone while preserving gums, nerves, and blood vessels. Minimal pain and swelling.
Temporary Diastema
A temporary gap between the front teeth may occur during MARPE treatment. This gap typically closes once expansion is complete.
See MARPE in Action
Watch the transformation as the palate expands over the course of treatment.
Who Is a Candidate for MARPE?
MARPE is ideal for teens and adults with a narrow upper jaw who need skeletal expansion.
Narrow Palate with Crowding
Patients with a constricted upper jaw and crowded teeth who need real skeletal space — not just dental movement.
Posterior Crossbite
When upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, MARPE corrects the skeletal discrepancy rather than just tipping teeth.
Breathing Difficulties
Patients experiencing nasal obstruction, chronic mouth breathing, or symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea related to a narrow airway.
Adults Needing Expansion
Adults who were told they need jaw surgery for expansion. MARPE offers a non-surgical alternative for jaw expansion in adults.
During your consultation, Dr. Benson will evaluate your jaw structure using 3D CBCT imaging to determine if MARPE is the right treatment for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a MARPE expander?
A MARPE expander (Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) is an advanced orthodontic appliance that widens a narrow upper jaw using small screws placed directly into the palatal bone. Unlike traditional expanders that push on teeth, a MARPE expander achieves true skeletal expansion — making it effective even for adults whose palatal suture has begun to fuse.
Can adults get jaw expansion without surgery?
Yes! MARPE is a non-surgical jaw expansion option for adults. Traditional palatal expanders only work for children, and adults were previously told they needed surgically-assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE). MARPE bridges that gap — delivering true skeletal arch expansion for adults without the need for jaw surgery, general anesthesia, or hospital stays.
Does MARPE hurt?
The miniscrew placement is done under local anesthesia and is generally well-tolerated. During the expansion phase, you may feel pressure or mild discomfort, but most patients manage this easily with over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
How much can MARPE expand the palate?
MARPE can achieve significant skeletal expansion, typically 5–10mm or more. The exact amount depends on your individual anatomy and treatment goals. Dr. Benson uses 3D CBCT imaging to plan each case precisely.
Is MARPE better than traditional expanders?
For adults and older teens, MARPE offers significant advantages because it achieves true skeletal expansion rather than just dental tipping. Traditional expanders work well for younger children whose palatal suture is still flexible, but become less effective as patients mature.
Will I need braces after MARPE?
Yes, MARPE is typically the first phase of treatment. After expansion is complete and stable, the tooth-borne parts are removed while the TAD portion remains. Braces or clear aligners are then added to begin actively aligning the teeth. The total expander time is about 9–12 months.
Can MARPE help with sleep apnea and breathing?
MARPE can improve nasal airflow by widening the nasal passages, which may help reduce symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, and mouth breathing. Many patients report significantly improved nasal breathing after expansion. However, sleep apnea treatment should be coordinated with a sleep specialist.
Serving the Las Vegas Valley
Our Summerlin office on S. Durango Drive is conveniently located for families across the valley.
Ready to Breathe Better & Smile Wider?
Schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Benson to find out if MARPE jaw expansion is right for you.