Orthodontic care
MARPE: Palatal Expansion for Teens and Adults in NW Portland
MARPE widens a narrow upper jaw by anchoring a small expander to the bone of the palate with miniscrews, rather than relying only on the teeth. For appropriately selected teens and adults, it can produce genuine skeletal widening. At Bridge City Orthodontics in NW Portland, Dr. Alex Vo begins with a 3D evaluation to determine whether it's a fit — it isn't right for every case.
If you've been told your upper jaw is too narrow — or that correcting it as an adult would mean surgery — MARPE may be worth exploring. Short for miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion, it uses small temporary anchorage screws placed in the bone of the palate to gradually widen the upper jaw at its natural midline seam. Because the force is delivered through bone rather than only the teeth, MARPE can create genuine skeletal widening in appropriately selected older teens and adults — an age range where traditional tooth-borne expanders often produce mostly tooth movement. You may also hear it called MARME or MSE.
MARPE is generally considered a non-surgical orthodontic expansion approach, though it does involve placing those small screws in the palate. Dr. Vo begins every MARPE evaluation with a comfortable 3D scan and a CBCT image of your palate, because the only way to judge candidacy is to see how your palatal structures are positioned. Not everyone is a candidate — if expansion isn't the right path, a surgical approach or another option may fit better. You'll get a straight, imaging-based answer about whether MARPE makes sense for you, with no promise of a particular outcome.
Why patients choose it
- Skeletal widening, not just tipped teeth — anchoring to the bone directs the expansion force into the upper jaw, so appropriately selected patients can achieve genuine skeletal change rather than the tooth tipping common with tooth-anchored expanders.
- A non-surgical expansion option for appropriately selected patients — for the right candidates, MARPE can accomplish in-office what might otherwise require surgically assisted expansion, avoiding the operating room and a hospital stay.
- Easier on the teeth near the appliance — because the force works through bone anchors rather than your back teeth, MARPE typically puts less outward strain on those teeth and their surrounding gum and bone than a conventional expander.
- Can help create room in a crowded arch — widening the upper jaw may open space that reduces the need for extractions in some cases, which Dr. Vo weighs against the type and severity of your crowding.
- 3D-guided planning from the start — Dr. Vo uses a 3D scan and CBCT imaging to assess your anatomy and plan anchor placement, which is central to doing MARPE thoughtfully.
What to expect
- 1
3D evaluation and candidacy
We begin with a comfortable digital 3D scan (no goopy impressions) and a CBCT image. Dr. Vo assesses your palatal structures and bone anatomy — the factors that most influence whether MARPE is likely to work for you and where the anchors should go. If you're not a good candidate, we'll tell you and talk through other options.
- 2
Appliance placement
In a single visit, the palate is numbed with local anesthetic and a few small titanium miniscrews are placed to anchor the expander against your jawbone. It's a short in-office procedure, and many patients return to their usual day the same afternoon.
- 3
Active expansion at home
Over roughly two to four weeks, you'll turn a small key as directed to gradually widen the jaw. Most people feel pressure with each turn (over-the-counter pain relievers can help), a temporary lisp, and a small gap that opens between the front teeth — a normal, expected sign the suture is separating.
- 4
Retention, removal, and finishing
Once the planned width is reached, turning stops and the appliance stays in place for several months while new bone fills in across the suture — your orthodontist will give you a timeframe based on your healing. After removal, full treatment with braces or clear aligners typically follows to align your teeth within the wider arch.
A good fit if…
- Older teens and adults with a narrow upper jaw who'd like to avoid jaw surgery if possible
- Patients with a posterior crossbite driven by a narrow upper jaw rather than tooth position alone
- Adults in their 20s and 30s who were told they're 'too old' for a traditional palatal expander
- People with upper-arch crowding where widening the jaw could help create needed space
- Anyone who wants a clear, imaging-based answer on whether non-surgical expansion is realistic for them
Common questions
What is MARPE?
MARPE stands for miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion. It's a method for widening a narrow upper jaw that anchors a small expander to the bone of the palate using miniscrews, rather than relying only on the teeth. Because the force is delivered through bone, it can produce genuine skeletal widening in appropriately selected patients. You may also hear it called MARME or MSE.
Am I too old for palatal expansion?
Not necessarily. Traditional expanders that push only on the teeth tend to work best in children. Because MARPE anchors to the bone, it can achieve real skeletal expansion in many older teens and adults who might otherwise be candidates for surgical approaches. Whether it's appropriate for you depends on a 3D evaluation — it isn't right for every adult.
Is MARPE surgery?
MARPE is generally considered a non-surgical orthodontic expansion approach, though it does involve placing small temporary anchorage screws in the palate. These screws anchor the expander, and the jaw is widened gradually at its natural midline seam — without the operating room or hospital stay that surgical jaw expansion involves. Dr. Vo explains exactly what the process looks like before you decide anything.
How do I know if I'm a candidate for MARPE?
Candidacy comes down to a 3D scan, which lets Dr. Vo see the structure of your palate and how your bones are positioned. From there he can tell you honestly whether MARPE is a reasonable option, whether another approach fits better, or whether expansion isn't the right path for you. MARPE is recommended only for appropriately selected cases.
What does MARPE treatment involve?
After a 3D evaluation, a small expander is anchored to the palate with miniscrews. Over a period of weeks, it's adjusted in tiny increments to gradually widen the upper jaw at its midline. Once the target width is reached, the expander stays in place for a stabilization period before the next stage of treatment. Dr. Vo walks you through each step.
Is MARPE uncomfortable?
Most patients feel pressure during the adjustment period rather than sharp pain, and some notice a temporary gap opening between the front teeth as the jaw widens — which is expected and typically closes later in treatment. Any soreness is usually manageable, and Dr. Vo reviews what to expect so there are no surprises.
What are the limits of MARPE?
MARPE isn't right for everyone, and results depend on individual anatomy, which is why a 3D evaluation comes first. As with any procedure there are considerations to weigh, and Dr. Vo will discuss the realistic benefits and limits for your specific case rather than promising a particular outcome. The goal is the right plan for you, not a one-size-fits-all answer.
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Meet Dr. Vo, see your 3D scan, and leave with a clear plan and honest pricing — at no cost.
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Invisalign, Spark, and Angel — plus in-office BCO aligners. We fit the system to your bite, instead of limiting you to one brand.
Curious whether MARPE (Palatal Expansion) is right for you?
Find out at a free consultation with Dr. Alex Vo — a clear plan and honest pricing, with no pressure.