Non-surgical jaw expansion for teens and young adults

Why a regular expander stops working

In young children, the two halves of the upper jaw are joined by a seam that a regular expander can gently open. By the mid-teens that seam has knit tightly together, so a traditional expander mostly tips the teeth instead of widening the bone.

In the past, that left two options: surgically assisted expansion, or making space by removing permanent teeth or slimming them down, which doesn't address the narrow jaw underneath.

How MARPE works

MARPE (mini-screw assisted rapid palatal expansion, also called MSE) anchors the expander to the bone of the palate with small temporary screws. Because the force goes directly to the bone, it can widen the upper jaw itself, even after growth has slowed.

The extra width can make room for:

• Crowded teeth, and a fuller, broader smile
• Better tongue posture, which can support easier nasal breathing
• A more stable long-term result, often without extractions

Is it right for my teen?

MARPE is designed for patients from the early teens into young adulthood whose growth has progressed past the point where a regular expander works. If your teen has a narrow upper jaw, a crossbite, or severe crowding, a consultation will tell you whether it's a good fit.

What to expect

• Everything is done in our office, with laughing gas and numbing for comfort.
• We cement the appliance and place the small screws in the palate — a quick, minimally invasive step.
• You'll learn how to turn the expander at home for steady, controlled widening.
• Once the expansion is done and stable, the appliance comes off and alignment is finished with braces or clear aligners.

Our office is on Smith Street in Nanuet, an easy drive from across Rockland County, Bergen County, NJ, and Westchester.