MARPE in Caroline Springs
A crossbite you've learned to live with. Teeth that feel crowded. A roof of the mouth that feels tight. MARPE (miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion) widens a narrow upper jaw in older teens and adults, using an expander held by tiny screws. It may avoid surgery in suitable patients. Results vary. We'll check whether it suits you first.
Who MARPE may suit.
MARPE is mainly for older teens and adults with a narrow upper jaw. If you live in Caroline Springs, Fraser Rise, Plumpton, Deer Park or Taylors Hill, you can ask our team about it at our Caroline Springs clinic. Signs of a narrow upper jaw can include:
- A crossbite, where some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when you bite.
- Crowded teeth.
- A palate (the roof of the mouth) that feels cramped.
In children, the join in the roof of the mouth is called the midpalatal suture. It can usually still be parted with a standard expander. In adults, that join is more firmly locked together. MARPE uses small screws to help with this, and it may avoid surgery in suitable patients.
It isn't always the right answer. MARPE is usually less predictable as people get older. It may also suit you less if your palate bone is thin or the join is very mature. Some people with more severe cases may need jaw surgery instead. They may be referred to a specialist orthodontist. Your dentist will talk this through with you.
MARPE is not, on its own, a reason to treat sleep problems. Sleep apnoea means pauses in breathing during sleep, and only a doctor can diagnose it. Some research suggests widening a narrow upper jaw may help in some cases. Results vary.
How MARPE usually runs
How MARPE works at Magical Smiles Caroline Springs.
Most MARPE treatment follows these steps. Your own plan may be different, and timelines vary.
Assessment
your dentist checks your teeth, bite and jaw, and you will usually have photos and X-rays. You may also have a 3D scan, called a cone-beam CT scan, which shows how thick your palate bone is and how mature the join is. We then talk about whether MARPE suits you and what other options you have.
Fitting
the expander is fitted to the roof of your mouth and held in place by a few tiny screws (mini-implants). It is usually also joined to some of your back teeth. Your dentist will explain how the area is made comfortable and who places the screws. Sometimes you may be referred to another clinician for this step.
Widening
a small screw in the middle of the expander is turned a little at a time, usually at home, to slowly widen the upper jaw. Your dentist will show you how and give you a schedule. Research reports this stage taking from about three weeks to a few months, depending on the person.
Check-ups
we review how the jaw is opening and check the appliance and your gums. A second scan may show whether the join has opened.
After widening
the expander usually stays in for a while so the new width can settle. At your assessment, your dentist will explain what comes next, including whether you need braces or aligners.
MARPE at our Caroline Springs clinic.
You can ask about MARPE at our Magical Smiles clinic at 1 Lancefield Drive, Caroline Springs VIC 3023. We're open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. Call us on 03 8358 2565 or book online at https://magicalsmiles.com.au/book/. Your dentist will check if MARPE suits you at your assessment.
Video
What it feels like.
Most people find MARPE mildly to moderately sore. It is designed to feel gentle and comfortable. In one study, soreness was strongest in the first week and then eased. Discomfort after fitting usually settles within a couple of weeks.
You may notice:
- Soreness or pressure in the roof of your mouth, teeth or face, mostly in the first week.
- Harder eating at first. Soft foods can help, and spicy food may sting.
- A slightly different voice, such as a lisp, while your tongue gets used to the appliance. Taste can change too.
- A sore or rubbed tongue. Warm salty water rinses can help.
- A gap opening between your two front teeth. This is a common sign that the jaw is widening.
Cleaning needs extra care. Food can catch around the appliance. If it isn't cleaned well, your gums can turn red or swollen. We will show you how to clean it.
Your dentist will talk with you about work or school and what suits your situation. Simple pain relief may help, and your dentist can advise you on this.
Risks and limitations.
All treatment carries risk, and MARPE is no different. Results vary from person to person.
It may not work. The join in the roof of the mouth doesn't always open. This is more likely in older people, if the palate bone is thin, or if the join is very mature. If it doesn't open, your dentist will talk through other options. These may include a referral to a specialist orthodontist for surgically assisted expansion.
Other things that can happen:
- Gums and mouth lining around the appliance can become sore, red or swollen, especially if cleaning is hard.
- Your tongue can become irritated or develop sore spots.
- Speech, taste and eating can change for a while.
- A mini-implant (small screw) can loosen.
- Parts of the expander can bend or break. They may need repair or replacement.
- The upper back teeth can tilt outwards. The bone and gum around the teeth can also be affected.
- The jaw can open unevenly.
- Some people notice ringing in the ears (tinnitus) on and off during widening.
- Rarely, a small part of the appliance can come loose and be swallowed.
- Teeth can drift back a little after treatment if the new width isn't held. You may then need further treatment, such as braces.
MARPE does not make the face wider. Research on MARPE in adults is still growing, and many studies are small. At your assessment, your dentist will explain the risks that apply to you. If something feels wrong or the appliance comes loose, please tell us straight away.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, please seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Cost.
The cost varies with each person's case. We'll talk it through with you at your assessment.
Who provides MARPE here.
Our dentists provide MARPE at our Caroline Springs clinic. They use scans and a careful assessment to decide if it suits you.
If your case is complex or surgery may be needed, you may be referred to a specialist orthodontist. If another clinician is needed for part of your care, we will tell you before treatment starts.
What people ask about MARPE.
Talk to us about MARPE.
Book an assessment at Caroline Springs and we'll talk you through whether MARPE suits you.
Sources and review
- Palatal Expanders Guide
- What is an MSE Expander and how does it work?
- Efficacy of Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE) in late adolescents and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- What is the Oral Health-related Quality of Life following Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE)? A prospective clinical cohort study
- Hidden Risks of Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE): A Retrospective Analysis of Treated Cases With Preventive Strategies
Reviewed by the Magical Smiles dental team on 5 November 2026.