Increasing Your Airway with the MARPE Palate Expander

Why Prescribe a Palate Expander?

A narrow maxilla bone doesn’t only create crowding within the mouth, but can also impact facial structure, create an obstructed nasal passage, and cause obstructive sleep apnea.

To expand the maxilla bone, Hillam Orthodontics can install a bonded, banded or the MARPE Palate Expander in teenagers to young adults.

How Does the Palate Expander Work?

When our palates form, they have a right side and a left side with a “suture” down the middle. The palate expander will split this suture, creating an opportunity for the body to grow more bone to expand the palate further. During the process, patients will notice their front teeth drifting apart. This space or diastema generally closes naturally or with simple orthodontics after the palate is expanded.

To create the force that pushes the bone apart, the patient will turn a screw in the expander once a day for 30 to 40 days. Following the expansion, the appliance remains in the mouth for a minimum of 4 months for the bone to heal.

What is a MARPE?

A MARPE is a “Miniscrew Assisted Rapid Palatal Expander.” It is similar to a traditional expander but uses miniature screws to gain profound expansion of the palate. This method can be used to expand jaws in adults as well as children.

What’s it like to get the MARPE Palate Expander installed?

Installation takes a single appointment, which will only take 20-30 minutes. Your orthodontist will use local anesthetic to provide comfort. Over the next few days, you may want to take over-the-counter pain medication, but your mouth shouldn’t be sore for long.

How Long Would I Have To Wear the MARPE Palate Expander?

On average, patients wear the MARPE palate expander for 4 to 6 months. During this time, the maxilla bone expands creating more space for teeth and air.

Schedule Your Free Consultation with Hillam Orthodontics Today

Curious if you’re needing to expand your palate to breathe better and give your teeth a little more room to straighten out? We offer free 60-minute consultation appointments, so you have nothing to lose to find the answers you’ve been after. Book an appointment today!