MARPE (Palatal Expander) for Adults

At Fellow Orthodontist, we take a modern and comprehensive approach to adult orthodontic care. Dr. Lin, your board-certified Manhattan orthodontist, offers advanced expansion options for adults who need more than traditional orthodontics.

One of these options is MARPE, or Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion — a powerful treatment that allows us to widen the upper jaw without traditional jaw surgery, improving both function and esthetics to support better airflow and facial balance.

Dr. Lin personally places each MARPE appliance and collaborates with a trusted ENT or oral surgeon when needed, especially in more advanced cases that may benefit from a specialized procedure called DOME. This collaborative approach ensures your treatment is as efficient and comprehensive as possible.

Who is a candidate for MARPE?

The MARPE expander is designed for skeletally mature patients whose upper jaws have stopped growing. You may be a candidate if you:

Have a narrow palate or crossbite
Experience nasal breathing issues or airway obstruction
Were told you need SARPE but want a non-surgical option
Need to create space for crowded teeth without extractions
Have been diagnosed with sleep-disordered breathing or mouth breathing habits
Were told you need SARPE (surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion) but want a non-surgical alternative

Because the upper jaw stops growing in the late teen years, traditional palatal expanders are no longer effective for adults. MARPE applies gentle, targeted pressure to the mid-palatal suture to create true skeletal expansion, correcting the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.

How MARPE Works

Dr. Lin customizes and places your MARPE appliance right here in our Union Square orthodontic office.

MARPE uses a highly customized palatal expander that’s anchored to the upper jaw with miniscrews, also called temporary anchorage devices (TADs). These small screws are gently placed into the palate to provide direct contact with the jawbone.

Over the course of a few weeks, the device is turned gradually, placing outward pressure on the mid-palatal suture and encouraging the upper jaw to widen. This process creates more space in the upper arch and improves the overall function and aesthetics of the bite and airway.

If your palate is especially resistant to expansion, Dr. Lin may recommend DOME, a minor in-office procedure performed by a collaborating surgeon to help loosen the mid-palatal suture.

What to Expect with MARPE

Your treatment begins with a detailed clinical exam, airway assessment, and 3D imaging.If MARPE is right for you, we’ll design a custom appliance and place it in-office.

Once your appliance is in:

You’ll activate it at home as instructed by Dr. Lin.
Expansion typically takes 4-8 weeks.
The appliance stays in place for a few months to allow the bone to stabilize.

Many patients report improved nasal breathing, facial harmony, and smile esthetics soon after treatment.

There’s no hospital visit or general anesthesia involved. This is a minimally invasive, well-tolerated process. And you’ll be guided by a board-certified orthodontist who personally oversees every detail of your care.

MARPE Expander Cost

We believe in full transparency when it comes to the cost of the MARPE appliance and your smile investment. Your MARPE cost will be clearly outlined in your personalized treatment plan, with no hidden fees.

We offer:

0% interest, in-house financing
Down payments as low as $700
Monthly payments as low as $200 (or less) with insurance
In-network coverage with most major providers
FSA and HSA compatibility

We’ll walk you through your options to create a custom payment plan that covers the full cost of your care.

MARPE vs. SARPE

If you’ve been told you need SARPE (Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion), you’re not alone, but you may not need full jaw surgery after all.

Dr. Lin has helped many adults achieve true skeletal expansion using MARPE, often avoiding surgery altogether. When additional support is needed, our DOME collaboration provides a more targeted and less invasive alternative to SARPE.

During your consultation, Dr. Lin will review all of your treatment options with you to help you make the best decision for your smile, health and future.

Start with a personalized MARPE consultation.

We’re here to help you expand your options. If you’ve been told jaw surgery is your only choice, or you’re struggling with a narrow palate, MARPE could offer a non-surgical solution to improve your bite, breathing, and facial balance.

Let’s start with a consultation and in-depth evaluation. Our comprehensive consultations are valued at $400 but only cost you $95!

We reserve a full hour for you, for Dr. Lin to perform:

A detailed clinical examination to assess your individual conditions and needs
High-quality 3D x-ray and 3D rendering of your teeth and bite
A thorough discussion of your treatment options, tailored recommendations, and answers to all your questions by board-certified Dr. Lin
Personalized treatment plan designed just for you

We’re confident you’ll feel informed, supported, and empowered to move forward. Take the first step now, and book your consultation with our Manhattan, Union Square, orthodontic office.