MARPE Palatal Expansion in Tribeca, NYC

MARPE stands for miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion. It is a non-surgical treatment that widens the upper jaw (maxilla) in teens and adults. Unlike a childhood expander that pushes on the teeth, MARPE uses four small titanium miniscrews anchored directly into the palatal bone to separate the fused midpalatal suture — achieving true skeletal widening.

A custom expander is fitted to the palate and secured with miniscrews under local anesthesia. You turn an activation key as instructed — usually once or twice daily — applying gentle, controlled pressure directly to the bone. Over a few weeks the midpalatal suture separates and the maxilla widens. The appliance then stays in place for about 6 months while new bone solidifies.

It depends on the cause. There are different reasons why people snore, and different reasons why people have sleep apnea. If your symptoms are due to a narrow palate or narrow nasal floor, expanding the maxilla widens the floor of the nasal cavity, which can lower nasal airflow resistance and make nose breathing easier. If the issue is the soft palate and you breathe fine through your nose, NightLase may be the better option. That is why our interview-plus-CBCT diagnosis identifies the cause first.

A regular expander (RPE) is tooth-borne and only works in children before the midpalatal suture fuses (around ages 12–15). In adults it would only tip the teeth outward without widening the bone. MARPE is bone-borne: the miniscrews transmit force directly into the palatal bone, producing true skeletal, parallel widening in teens and adults — without surgery.

Placement of the miniscrews is performed under local anesthesia and is pain-free. Patients typically experience mild pressure across the bridge of the nose or teeth during active expansion, which subsides quickly.

The active expansion phase usually lasts a few weeks. The appliance then stays in place passively for about 6 months to allow the newly formed bone to stabilize permanently.

Yes. MARPE expands the underlying skeletal bone foundation. A follow-up course of Invisalign® or braces is used to align teeth into their ideal cosmetic and functional positions.

Probably not. MARPE was developed specifically for teens and adults whose midpalatal suture has already fused — the miniscrews anchor into the bone itself, which is what makes non-surgical expansion possible at any adult age. Your 3D CBCT scan at the consultation confirms whether there is enough palatal bone to support the appliance.

A childhood expander is tooth-borne: it pushes on the teeth and only works while the suture is still open. MARPE is bone-borne: the miniscrews transmit force directly into the palatal bone, producing true skeletal widening in patients whose sutures fused years ago.

Widening the upper arch typically creates a broader, more fully supported smile with fewer dark corners at the sides. Because the change happens at the bone level, some patients also notice improved midface support. Individual results vary and are discussed at your consultation.

Expanding the maxilla widens the floor of the nasal cavity, which can lower nasal airflow resistance — and many patients find nose breathing easier after treatment. Expansion is not a guaranteed treatment for sleep apnea, so airway concerns are evaluated carefully and, when appropriate, coordinated with your sleep physician.

You will meet with the team for a clinical exam and a 3D CBCT scan that measures your palatal bone, suture, and airway. If you are a candidate, you will receive a personalized treatment plan outlining each phase, what to expect, and recommended follow-up orthodontics.