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Orthodontics & Teeth Alignment

MARPE in Point Cook

MARPE (miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion) gently widens a narrow upper jaw in older teens and adults. An expander is held to the roof of the mouth by tiny screws. It may avoid surgery in suitable patients. Our Point Cook dentists, who see people from Sanctuary Lakes, Williams Landing, Truganina and Altona Meadows, check if it suits you at an assessment. Results vary.

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Typical MARPE Applicance
Who it may suit

Who MARPE may suit.

MARPE may suit older teens and adults who have a narrow upper jaw. A narrow upper jaw can show up as a crossbite (some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when you bite), crowded teeth, or a palate that feels cramped.

Children usually have a join in the roof of the mouth (the midpalatal suture) that can still be parted with a standard expander. In adults this join becomes more locked together. MARPE uses small screws to help with this, and it may avoid surgery in suitable patients.

It is usually less predictable as people get older. It may also be less suitable if the palate bone is thin or the join is very mature. Some people with more severe cases may need jaw surgery instead, and may be referred to a specialist orthodontist. Your dentist will talk this through with you.

MARPE is not a reason on its own to treat sleep problems. Sleep apnoea (pauses in breathing during sleep) must be diagnosed by a doctor. Some research suggests widening a narrow upper jaw may help in some cases, but results vary.

How MARPE usually runs: step 1, Assessment; step 2, Fitting; step 3, Widening; step 4, Check-ups; step 5, After widening

How MARPE usually runs

Step by step

How MARPE works at Magical Smiles Point Cook.

Here is how MARPE usually runs. Your own plan may differ.

1

Assessment. Your dentist looks at your teeth, bite and jaw. You will usually have photos and X-rays. A 3D scan (called a cone-beam CT scan) may be used to look at the thickness of the palate bone and how mature the join in the roof of your mouth is. We talk about whether MARPE is suitable for you and what the other options are.

2

Fitting. The expander is fitted to the roof of your mouth. It is held in place by a few tiny screws (mini-implants) and is usually joined to some of your back teeth. Your dentist will explain how the area is made comfortable and who will place the screws. In some cases you may be referred to another clinician for this step.

3

Widening. The expander has a small screw in the middle. It 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 anywhere from about three weeks to a few months, depending on the person.

4

Check-ups. We review how the jaw is opening and check the appliance and your gums. A second scan may be used to see whether the join has opened.

5

After widening. The expander is usually kept in for a time so the new width can settle. Your dentist will explain what happens next, including whether braces or aligners are needed, at your assessment.

At our Point Cook clinic

MARPE at our Point Cook clinic.

You can ask about MARPE at Magical Smiles Point Cook, 220 Point Cook Road, Point Cook VIC 3030. We're open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. Call 03 8338 1515 or book online at https://magicalsmilespointcook.com.au/book-appointment/. Your dentist will check if MARPE suits you at your assessment.

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What to expect

What it feels like.

Most people find MARPE is mild to moderately sore, and it is designed to feel gentle and comfortable. In one study, soreness was highest in the first week and then eased. Discomfort after fitting usually settles within a couple of weeks.

Here is what you may notice:

  • Soreness or pressure in the roof of the mouth, teeth or face, especially in the first week.
  • Eating can be harder at first. Soft foods can help. Spicy food may sting.
  • Your speech may sound a little different (for example a lisp) while your tongue gets used to the appliance. Taste can change too.
  • The tongue can feel sore or rubbed. Warm salty water rinses can help.
  • A gap may open 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 and the gums can become red or swollen if it is not cleaned well. 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.

Good to know

Risks and limitations.

All treatment carries risk. MARPE is no different. Results vary from person to person.

It may not work. The join in the roof of the mouth does not always open. This is more likely as people get older, if the palate bone is thin, or if the join is very mature. If it does not open, your dentist will talk through other options. This may include a referral to a specialist orthodontist for surgically assisted expansion.

Other things that can happen:

  • Sore, red or swollen gums and mouth lining around the appliance, especially if cleaning is difficult.
  • Tongue irritation and sore spots.
  • Temporary changes to speech, taste and eating.
  • A mini-implant (small screw) can loosen. Parts of the expander can bend or break and may need repair or replacement.
  • The upper back teeth can tilt outwards, and the bone and gum around the teeth can 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 is not held. Further treatment such as braces may be needed.

MARPE does not make the face wider. Research on MARPE in adults is still growing, and many studies are small. Your dentist will explain the risks that apply to you at your assessment. Please tell us straight away if something feels wrong or the appliance comes loose.

Making it manageable

Cost.

The cost varies with each person's case. We'll talk it through with you at your assessment.

Who looks after you

Who provides MARPE here.

MARPE is provided by our dentists. They use scans and a careful assessment to decide whether MARPE is suitable for you.

If your case is complex, or if 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.

Good questions

What people ask about MARPE.

It stands for miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion. It is a way of widening the upper jaw using an expander held in place with tiny screws.
Standard expanders work best in children, because the join in the roof of the mouth is still easy to part. MARPE is designed for older teens and adults, but suitability is assessed at a consultation and results vary.
It is designed to feel gentle and comfortable, but some soreness is common. It tends to be strongest in the first week and then eases.
It may avoid surgery in suitable patients, but it doesn't work for everyone. Some people, especially with more severe cases, may still need surgery.
MARPE won't make your face wider. It can help with a crossbite, and that may improve how your bite and smile line up.
Yes, for a while. You may lisp a little and find eating harder at first. Most people adjust as they get used to the appliance.
It varies. Research reports widening taking from about three weeks to a few months. Your dentist will give you a plan for your case.
Some research suggests widening a narrow upper jaw may help some people with sleep apnoea, but results vary. A doctor must diagnose sleep apnoea, and MARPE is not a treatment we promise for it.
When you're ready

Talk to us about MARPE.

Book an assessment at Point Cook and we'll talk you through whether MARPE suits you.

Book a consultationCall (03) 8338 1515

220 Point Cook Road, Point Cook VIC 3030
Close to Sanctuary Lakes, Williams Landing, Truganina, Altona Meadows, Hoppers Crossing and Werribee
Information on this page is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual advice from your dentist. Treatment outcomes, timelines and suitability vary between individuals.

Sources and review

Reviewed by the Magical Smiles dental team on 5 November 2026.

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