⦿ MARPE — Advanced Orthodontics

Palate expansion for adults. Without jaw surgery.

MARPE is a minimally invasive expander that widens a narrow upper jaw by separating the mid-palatal suture — even after growth plates have fused. It’s a surgical alternative that’s changing adult orthodontics.

6–12 mo

Typical treatment duration

4 pts

Mini-screws anchor the device

Adults ✓

Works after growth is complete

What is MARPE?

Maxillary Skeletal Expander — explained simply

MARPE stands for Micro-implant Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion. It’s an orthodontic device that attaches to the roof of your mouth using four small titanium mini-screws anchored directly into the palatal bone — not the teeth.

A traditional expander can only widen the jaw in children and young teens, because the mid-palatal suture (the joint running down the centre of your upper jaw) fuses with age. MARPE bypasses this limitation by applying skeletal force directly to the bone, gradually separating that suture and creating new bone in the gap.

The result is a permanently wider upper arch — achieved without surgery, and with changes that are stable long-term.

Mid-palatal suture

The fibrous joint in the centre of the upper jaw that MARPE gradually separates

4 palatal mini-screws

Tiny titanium anchors placed directly in the bone — no tooth movement involved

Expansion screw

Activated at home daily with a key — each turn widens the device by a fraction of a millimetre

New bone formation

As the suture separates, the body fills the gap with new bone — making the expansion permanent

The process

What to expect, step by step

MARPE treatment follows a clear and predictable path. Here’s what your journey looks like from first visit to retained results.

01

Consultation & imaging

We take a CBCT (3D) scan to assess your bone density, suture status, and jaw structure. This tells us whether MARPE is the right fit for you.

02

Device placement

Under local anaesthetic, four mini-screws are gently placed into the palatal bone. The expander is then attached to these anchors. The appointment takes about an hour.

03

Active expansion

You'll use a small key to turn the expansion screw once or twice daily, following your prescribed schedule — usually over 4–8 weeks.

04

Consolidation

Once the target width is reached, the device stays in place for several months while new bone fills the gap and hardens.

05

Device removal

When consolidation is confirmed on imaging, the MARPE is removed. Retainers or braces are typically placed to maintain and refine your bite.

06

Lifelong results

Because the expansion is skeletal — new bone, not stretched tissue — the wider jaw is permanent, stable, and doesn't require indefinite retention to maintain.

Why it matters

What MARPE can do for you

A narrow upper jaw affects far more than just your teeth. MARPE addresses the root cause — the skeletal structure — rather than just the symptom.

More room for crowded teeth

A wider arch naturally creates space for teeth to align, often reducing or eliminating the need to extract permanent teeth.

Improved breathing

Widening the upper jaw increases nasal airway volume, which can meaningfully improve nasal breathing and sleep quality.

Crossbite correction

A narrow upper arch often causes back teeth to bite inside the lower teeth. MARPE corrects this at the skeletal level — not just tooth position.

No jaw surgery required

For many adults, MARPE is a non-surgical alternative to SARPE (surgically assisted palate expansion), with less downtime and risk.

Better facial balance

Skeletal expansion can improve facial symmetry and the projection of midface structures, complementing orthodontic and cosmetic goals.

Permanent, stable results

Because MARPE stimulates new bone growth rather than stretching existing tissue, the expansion is durable and doesn't rely on long-term retention to hold.

Is MARPE right for you?

Good candidates and when to consider alternatives

MARPE works well for a specific group of patients. A consultation with our team — including a CBCT scan — is the only way to know for certain.

You may be a good candidate if…

You're a teen or adult with a narrow upper jaw
You have a crossbite — one or more upper teeth biting inside lower teeth
Your dental crowding is arch-width related, not just tooth-position related
You have reduced nasal airway space or difficulty breathing through your nose
Imaging shows adequate bone density and suture characteristics
You want to avoid jaw surgery (SARPE)

MARPE may not be suitable if…

Your mid-palatal suture is already fully fused (some cases)
Bone density is insufficient to support the mini-screws safely
You have significant vertical jaw discrepancies requiring surgical correction
Active gum disease or untreated oral health concerns are present

In cases where MARPE isn’t the right fit, our team will discuss alternative approaches — including surgical options or conventional orthodontic treatment plans tailored to your anatomy.

Common questions

MARPE — frequently asked questions

Does MARPE hurt?

The placement procedure is done under local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel the mini-screws going in. Afterward, there’s typically some pressure and soreness for a few days. During the active expansion phase, many patients notice pressure after each activation that usually resolves within 30–60 minutes. Most people rate the discomfort as manageable and comparable to getting braces tightened.

Will there be a gap between my front teeth?

Yes — a diastema (gap) between the upper front teeth is expected and is actually a sign the expansion is working. As the mid-palatal suture separates, the two halves of the jaw move apart. This gap closes naturally once the device is removed and braces or aligners are placed, and is not permanent.

How long does treatment take?

The active expansion phase — where you use the key daily — typically lasts 4 to 8 weeks. After that, the device remains in place for a consolidation period of several more months while new bone forms. Total time with the MARPE device is usually 6 to 12 months. This is typically followed by braces or aligners to complete alignment.

Can adults get MARPE, or is it only for teens?

MARPE was specifically developed to address the limitations of conventional palate expanders in adults. Because it anchors to bone rather than teeth, it can create skeletal separation even in patients whose palatal suture has fused. Research shows good success rates in adults well into their 40s, though outcomes depend on individual bone characteristics assessed through CBCT imaging.

How does MARPE differ from a traditional palate expander?

A conventional expander attaches to the back teeth and works by pressing outward on the molars. In children, this creates enough force to widen the suture while it’s still flexible. In adults, tooth-borne expanders mostly just tip the teeth — they don’t move the bone. MARPE anchors to the palate itself, bypassing the teeth entirely and applying force directly to the skeletal structure, which is why it can work in adults and produce true bone expansion.

Is MARPE covered by dental insurance in Canada?

Coverage varies significantly by insurer and plan. Some extended health plans cover a portion of orthodontic appliances; others exclude newer devices. We’ll review your specific coverage during your consultation and can provide a detailed treatment estimate to submit to your insurer for pre-authorization.

Ready to find out if MARPE is right for you?

Book a consultation with our team in Komoka. We’ll review your imaging, answer your questions, and walk you through every option.

Monday	9:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday	9:00am – 7:00pm
Wednesday	9:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday	9:00am – 5:00pm
Friday	9:00am – 1:00pm
Saturday (1/month)	9:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday	Closed