MARPE Adult Palatal Expander Treatment and Cost

MARPE is “mini-implant assisted rapid palatal expansion.” The MARPE adult expander uses temporary implants installed into the palate to increase the width of the palate by stimulating bone growth.

MARPE Insertion

Dr Adams will design and insert the MARPE expander onto the palate. The minimally painful procedure takes about 15 minutes and involves a small dose of local anesthesia.

Large Increase in Width of the Upper Jaw

MARPE is a treatment we use in cases where the width of the palate is quite narrow. The MARPE will increase the width of the upper jaw by a large amount. It does not stimulate any forward growth and it does not have any effect on the lower jaw. MARPE is always used in combination with other orthodontic appliances because most people need 3D growth and we will need to manage teeth positions and the relationship between the upper and lower jaws.

Save Time and Avoid Unsightly Spaces with Combined MARPE and Invisalign

Our most popular MARPE protocol involves simultaneous MARPE and clear braces. In this treatment regimen the teeth can be moved around at the same time palatal expansion is done with the MARPE. The treatment usually takes 1 year and avoids large spaces from opening between the teeth.

Slow and Gentle Palatal Expansion

Traditionally MARPE is a rapid palatal expander (as the RPE implies). Typically doctors expand the appliances very quickly but we use a slow expansion protocol MASPE that is effective and minimizes the stress on cranial, facial and vertebral structures.

More about Invisalign Combined with MARPE

We now offer a treatment with MARPE Expanders and clear braces at the same time. The service expands the jaw at the same time it aligns the teeth. The treatment approach prevents large spaces from developing between the front teeth, improves the bite and expands the upper jaw all at once. The treatment times are cut in 1/2 and the results are sometimes even better than performing MARPE and Invisalign in sequence. Treatment times can be 6-12 months vs 2 years in some cases.

Traditional MARPE expansion results in a large space opening up between the front teeth. The space is called a diastema. Needless to say, MARPE is not a stand-alone treatment. People who undergo MARPE treatment will also need other treatments such as Invisalign for example to close the space between front teeth. Other appliances may be needed to get forward growth or to improve the relationship between the upper and lower jaw or to correct a facial asymmetry.

MARPE with Invisalign and Homeoblock

In cases where patients have TMJ and clench their teeth or if there are facial asymmetries, we may use a lower Homeoblock appliance in combination with upper combined MARPE and Invisalign therapy.

The Average Orthodontic Treatment Plan with MARPE

Most people do not just have mouths that are not wide enough and problems with only their upper jaw. If they did, MARPE followed by Invisalign would always be the perfect treatment: First MARPE, followed by Invisalign second. Usually people need 3D growth and will need forward growth, improvements to facial asymmetries and advancement of the lower jaw. Often times use of other expanders such as a Homeoblock or even a jaw surgery such as mandibular advancement are necessary. But what appliance is the best one to do first? Why not do them all at the same time? Get a consultation with Dr. Adams to see what is best for your case. Every case is different.

How does MARPE work?

MARPE is a custom designed expander that is installed onto the palate. The expansion mechanism is turned at a pace that is comfortable and effective. The basic concept is that light pressure gently stimulates bone growth about the palatal suture. Clear braces are usually introduced 4-8 weeks after the MARPE to avoid opening up large spaces between the upper front teeth.

We use a Slow/Biological expansion protocol vs rapid to avoid adverse effects on bones in the face, cranium or spine from becoming compressed, stuck and misaligned. Slow expansion is also more comfortable.

For people who clench and grind and who have tension in the neck, back and headaches, MARPE and the high expansion pressure comes with more risk.

MSE and MARPE skeletal expander video by Dr. Adams

MARPE Expander Costs?

It is important to note that MARPE is not a stand-alone treatment because all that is accomplished during MARPE is getting the upper jaw wider. Nothing has been done to the lower jaw. There is almost always a large space created between the upper two front teeth. And the truth of the matter is MARPE is just one piece to the puzzle in a much more expensive orthodontic treatment course.

The MARPE device itself can cost $8000-$12,000 depending on who is doing it. Other treatments that may be combined with MARPE include:

Braces $5000-$10,000 for teeth straightening and closing spaces
Invisalign $5500-$11,000 for teeth straightening and closing spaces
Homeoblock device or DNA Appliance to improve facial asymmetry, palatal expansion, improve relationship between upper and lower jaw, forward growth. Expand the lower jaw. $6500- $12,000
Other jaw surgeries such as maxillary-mandibular advancement or MMA surgery to improve relationship between upper a lower jaw $10,000 – $25,000.

So I guess the real question is how much does it cost to receive all the treatment one needs to meet their treatment goals including the MARPE? Sometimes the answer is not clear when MARPE treatment is initiated because not all cases are straight forward. On the average, a typical MARPE case will also involve at least some teeth alignment with braces or Invisalign. Successful cases also usually involve diagnosis and treatment of lip and tongue ties and sessions with a myofunctional therapist. Especially when the goals of treatment include TMJ, sleep, airway and facial profile complaints.

Alternatives to MARPE adult expanders

Alternatives to MARPE include braces, Invisalign, jaw surgery and Vivos and Homeoblock appliances. How do we improve TMJ, sleep, airway and facial profile complaints. Usually the root cause is undersized and imbalanced jaws/bite and dysfunction of the tongue, chewing and facial muscles. Think of the mouth as an undersized room that needs to be wider, deeper and taller. Let say we need an 12x15ft room with 8 foot ceilings and we only have 8×10 with 6 foot ceilings. The furniture does not fit and all the activities in the room do not work well. So we need a wider, deeper and taller jaw. And jaws that are more balanced. How do we fix it?

Braces and Invisalign

Braces and Invisalign are great treatments but all they do is move the teeth around. Moving teeth around the mouth is not going to work if you need more room. Moving teeth can help but we need a bigger mouth.

MARPE adult palatal expansion

The MARPE will get the upper jaw wider but that is it. It will also open up a huge space between the upper front teeth. Now if we did not need braces before, now we definitely do. MARPE does nothing to the size, shape and position of the lower jaw. And MARPE does not correct any facial asymmetries. MARPE has been accused of causing facial asymmetries, but it usually does not. MARPE will make existing facial asymmetries bigger and more noticeable. MARPE is just one piece to the puzzle and once the MARPE is used other treatments become necessary.

Homeoblock and Vivos removable adult expanders

Homeoblock appliances are capable of 3D facial growth, improving facial symmetry and the relationship between the upper and lower jaw. That is these appliances can create a wider, deeper and taller jaw with more balance. The con of the Homeoblock appliance is that the treatment takes wearing an appliance at night for 12-24 months. The Homeoblock can only treat cases of mild to moderate palatal underdevelopment.

Homeoblock is a Standalone 3D Adult Growth Appliance

The Homeoblock is capable of starting and finishing many cases. It is possible, that no other treatment is necessary other than myofunctional therapy and release of any lip and tongue ties. But certain cases will need Invisalign or braces 6 months after Homeoblock treatment.

Homeoblock and DNA appliances can get a decent amount of expansion for many adults without much teeth movement if done properly. The one thing these appliances can do that the others cannot is correct symmetries. The Homeoblock appliance also can advance the mandible and expand the mandible. The Homeoblock cannot get as much expansion as the MARPE but there are many more advantages to the Homeoblock appliance. The Homeoblock is also much less expensive and more conservative than treatments involving MARPE.

In many cases it is best to start a case that may involve MARPE, with a Vivos appliance or Homeoblock device. In fact the Homeoblock may complete the entire case without the need for any additional treatment (including Invisalign and braces).

Exploring MARPE Expander-How it Works, Costs and Alternatives