MARPE
MARPE (Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) is an advanced treatment designed to widen the upper jaw in older teenagers and adults.
Dr Sheryl Smithies incorporates MARPE as part of her comprehensive airway and aligner treatment philosophy, using advanced digital planning to create personalised treatment plans that focus on both aesthetics and long-term function.
MARPE Benefits:
By widening the upper jaw, MARPE can improve both dental alignment and airway volume, supporting healthier breathing patterns alongside orthodontic correction.
MARPE in Cape Town
If you’ve been told you’re too old for a palate expander, modern orthodontics offers a different solution.
MARPE (Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) is an advanced treatment designed to widen the upper jaw in older teenagers and adults. Unlike traditional expanders that rely primarily on the teeth, MARPE uses temporary anchorage devices to gently expand the upper jaw itself, creating space for improved tooth alignment while supporting healthier breathing and airway function.
At Enamel Clinic in Cape Town, Dr Sheryl Smithies incorporates MARPE as part of her comprehensive airway and aligner treatment philosophy, using advanced digital planning to create personalised treatment plans that focus on both aesthetics and long-term function.
What is MARPE?
MARPE stands for Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion.
It is an orthodontic treatment that widens the upper jaw (maxilla) using a specially designed expansion appliance anchored to the palate with small temporary titanium miniscrews.
Unlike conventional expanders that push primarily against the teeth, MARPE applies force directly to the upper jaw, allowing skeletal expansion to occur even in many adult patients whose jawbones have largely matured.
This creates additional space within the mouth while improving the relationship between the upper and lower jaws.
For many adults, MARPE offers an effective alternative to more invasive surgical approaches
Why Would Someone Need MARPE?
A narrow upper jaw can contribute to far more than crooked teeth.
Many patients experience symptoms that originate from insufficient jaw width, including:
- Crowded teeth
- Crossbites
- Relapsed orthodontic treatment
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Snoring
- Poor sleep quality
- Mouth breathing
- Jaw discomfort
- TMJ dysfunction
- Reduced tongue space
By widening the upper jaw, MARPE can improve both dental alignment and airway volume, supporting healthier breathing patterns alongside orthodontic correction.
How MARPE Supports Airway Health
At Dr Sheryl Smithies’ practice, orthodontic treatment isn’t simply about creating straighter teeth.
Airway health forms an important part of treatment planning.
When the upper jaw is too narrow, it can reduce the available space for the tongue and restrict the nasal airway.
This may contribute to:
- Mouth breathing
- Poor sleep quality
- Snoring
- Obstructive Sleep
- Apnoea (OSA)
- Teeth grinding
- Chronic fatigue
By expanding the upper jaw where appropriate, MARPE may help improve nasal airflow and create additional space for the tongue, supporting healthier breathing during both the day and night.
Every patient’s airway is carefully evaluated using advanced digital imaging before treatment recommendations are made.
Who Is a Good Candidate for MARPE?
MARPE is often recommended for older teenagers and adults with:
- Narrow upper jaws
- Moderate to severe crowding
- Crossbites
- Airway restriction
- Sleep-disordered breathing
- Patients requiring arch expansion before aligner treatment
- Individuals who wish to avoid more invasive jaw surgery where appropriate
Because every patient is different, suitability is determined following a comprehensive clinical assessment and digital imaging.
MARPE vs Traditional Palatal Expanders
Traditional palate expanders work well for young children because their jawbones are still developing.
As we get older, the bones of the palate become more rigid, making conventional expansion far less effective.
MARPE overcomes this challenge by anchoring directly to the palate using temporary miniscrews, allowing controlled skeletal expansion in many adult patients.
Benefits include:
- Greater skeletal expansion
- Reduced unwanted tooth movement
- Improved stability
- Better airway outcomes
- More predictable treatment planning
MARPE vs SARPE
Both MARPE and SARPE (Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) are designed to widen the upper jaw, but they differ in how this is achieved.
MARPE
- Minimally invasive
- Uses temporary miniscrews
- Suitable for many adults
- Often avoids major surgery
- Shorter recovery
SARPE
- Requires oral surgery
- Recommended for more severe skeletal deficiencies
- Suitable when MARPE alone is unlikely to achieve adequate expansion
During your consultation, Dr Sheryl will determine which approach is most appropriate based on your anatomy and treatment goals.
The MARPE Treatment Process
Every treatment begins with comprehensive digital planning.
Step 1: Digital Assessment
Your consultation includes:
- CBCT (3D) imaging
- Digital intraoral scans
- Facial photography
- Smile analysis
- Airway assessment
This information allows Dr Sheryl to accurately assess your jaw structure, airway and orthodontic needs.
Step 2: Personalised Treatment Planning
Your treatment plan is designed specifically for your anatomy and goals.
Depending on your case, treatment may involve:
- Clear aligners
- MARPE expansion
- Additional orthodontic appliances
- Minor surgical procedures where required
Step 3: MARPE Placement
The MARPE appliance is fitted and secured using small temporary miniscrews placed into the palate.
The expansion process occurs gradually over several weeks under close supervision.
Step 4: Aligner Treatment
Once adequate expansion has been achieved, clear aligners are typically used to complete the alignment of your teeth and optimise your bite.
Step 5: Long-Term Retention
Following treatment, retainers help maintain your new arch width and smile alignment for long-term stability.
Dr Sheryl's Personalised Treatment Philosophy
No two patients require the same approach.
Treatment is always tailored to the amount of expansion required.
Mild Widening & Alignment
Minor crowding can often be corrected using clear aligners alone.
Moderate Orthodontics
Moderately narrow arches may benefit from aligners combined with expansion devices or other adjunctive procedures to improve outcomes, create space and support airway health.
Advanced Widening
Where significant skeletal expansion is required, MARPE may be combined with aligners and, in some cases, additional procedures such as SARPE or SFOT to achieve the best possible result.
Surgical Advancement Cases
For patients with severe airway restriction or jaw discrepancies, Dr Sheryl works alongside specialist surgeons to coordinate jaw advancement surgery with orthodontic treatment, helping improve breathing, sleep quality and smile aesthetics.
What Are the Benefits of MARPE?
MARPE offers benefits that extend beyond straighter teeth.
Potential advantages include:
- Increased upper jaw width
- Reduced dental crowding
- Improved bite alignment
- Greater space for the tongue
- Improved nasal airflow
- Better breathing
- Enhanced sleep quality
- Reduced mouth breathing
- Support for obstructive sleep apnoea treatment
- Improved facial balance
- Better long-term orthodontic stability
Why Choose Dr Sheryl Smithies for MARPE in Cape Town?
Dr Sheryl Smithies is one of the few dentists in South Africa with advanced training in both clear aligner therapy and airway-focused orthodontics.
Her qualifications include advanced MasterCoip Aligner training in Europe, as well as specialised education in IHDS Airway Orthodontics and MARPE, allowing her to provide comprehensive treatment that considers not only smile aesthetics, but also breathing, jaw function and long-term oral health.
Using Digital Smile Design, 3D imaging and a multidisciplinary approach, every treatment plan is carefully customised to deliver predictable, functional and natural-looking results.