Palatal Expansion in Duluth, MN
We widen narrow upper jaws in kids with expanders and in adults with MARPE, so there's room for the teeth and the tongue.
Dr. Camille Zelen, RN, DDS, AAACD, plans every expansion case, and our in-house myofunctional therapists help the result hold.
Key highlights
- Palatal expansion widens a narrow upper jaw using an appliance in the roof of the mouth.
- In kids, the upper jaw is still growing, so standard expanders work well.
- In adults, the jaw has fused, so we use MARPE, an expander anchored with mini-implants.
- A 2021 review found MARPE succeeded in about 92.5% of late teens and adults.
- We expand adults at a slower rate, often called MASPE, which we've found to be safer.
- Expansion pairs with myofunctional therapy so the tongue learns to use the new space.
What is palatal expansion?
Palatal expansion is a treatment that widens a narrow upper jaw by gently separating the two halves of the palate, using an appliance fixed to the roof of the mouth.
The upper jaw is two bones that meet in a seam down the middle of the palate. In children that seam is flexible. An expander pushes the halves apart a fraction of a millimeter at a time, and new bone fills the gap. The result is a wider jaw with room for crowded teeth, a corrected crossbite, and more space for the tongue to rest where it belongs.
Signs of a narrow palate
Red flags
- A high, narrow roof of the mouth
- Crowded upper teeth
- Top back teeth that sit inside the bottom teeth (crossbite)
- Dark corners when you smile
- Mouth breathing or snoring
- A tongue that rests low in the mouth
The dark corners are a tell most people miss. When the upper arch is narrow, the back teeth sit far from the cheeks, and the shadows show when you smile wide. Widening the arch fills those corners with teeth.
Expansion options by age
| Age | What we use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Young kids | Invisalign Palatal Expander or a bonded expander | The palate suture is still open and responds quickly |
| Teens | Bonded expander or MARPE | Depends on how far the suture has fused |
| Adults | MARPE, expanded slowly | Mini-implants deliver force to a fused palate |
Palatal expanders for kids
For growing kids, we offer two options, and the choice depends on your child more than on the appliance.
A series of removable, 3D-printed trays. Your child switches to the next tray on schedule, and each one is a fraction wider than the last. It comes out to brush and floss, and it comes out for myofunctional therapy exercises, which matters for kids who are doing both. The trade-off is that it only works when it's in, so it suits kids who'll wear it.
Cemented to the back teeth and stays in. Parents turn a small screw with a key on a schedule we set. There's no wear-time to manage, which makes it the better choice for younger kids or kids who lose things. Brushing takes more care around it.
Both reach the same goal. We'll tell you which one fits your child, and we'll be upfront if we think a removable tray won't get worn. Invisalign for kids
MARPE for adults
MARPE stands for miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion.
In adults, the seam in the palate has fused, so a standard expander pushes on the teeth instead of the bone. MARPE solves that with small mini-implants that anchor the expander directly to the palate. The force reaches the bone itself, which is what makes expansion possible after the palate has closed.
A 2021 systematic review in the European Journal of Orthodontics found that MARPE succeeded in about 92.5% of patients 16 and older, with the active expansion phase lasting from about 20 to 126 days. The same review noted possible side effects on teeth, gums, and soft tissue, which is why we plan every case on a scan and monitor it closely.
MARPE vs. surgical expansion
| MARPE | Surgical expansion (SARPE) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Mini-implants anchor an expander to the palate | A surgeon cuts the bone, then an expander widens it |
| Where | Our dental office | Hospital or surgical center |
| Anesthesia | Local numbing | General anesthesia |
| Recovery | Days of mild soreness | Longer surgical recovery |
| Best for | Most adults with a narrow palate | Cases where MARPE isn't enough |
Before MARPE, surgical expansion was the only option for most adults. Now it's the backup for the small number of cases where the palate won't separate with mini-implants alone.
Why we expand slowly
We used to expand adults quickly. Over the last few years, we've moved to a slower rate, an approach often called MASPE, for miniscrew-assisted slow palatal expansion.
Dr. Zelen explains why: we've learned that slowing the rate of expansion is a little bit safer. The bone and the tissue around it have more time to adapt with each turn. Some patients now come in asking for it by name.
Is expansion right for you or your child?
Expansion is likely to help
- A narrow, high palate with crowding or a crossbite
- Mouth breathing or snoring with a narrow upper jaw
- Kids with no room for adult teeth to come in
Let's talk it through first
- Mild crowding with a normal arch, where Invisalign alone may do
- Adults where the suture may be too fused, which the scan will show
- Kids who may not wear a removable expander
Start somewhere else
- Healthy gums and bone are needed first for MARPE
- Snoring with no narrow palate, which points elsewhere
- Signs of a medical sleep disorder, which needs a physician
What we do, and what we don't
What we do
We plan expansion on a 3D scan, place and manage expanders for kids and MARPE for adults, and pair every case with myofunctional therapy when tongue posture is part of the problem. We expand adults slowly, and we align the teeth afterward with Invisalign.
What we don't
We don't expand adults with gum disease or thin bone until that's treated, and we don't promise that expansion alone will fix snoring or sleep apnea. If the scan shows the suture is too fused for MARPE, we'll say so and refer you to a surgeon rather than try and fail.
Expansion and breathing
The floor of the nose sits on the roof of the mouth. When we widen the upper jaw, we also widen that base.
That's why expansion is part of our airway dentistry care. We pair it with myofunctional therapy so the tongue learns to rest in the new space, which helps the result stay. A wider palate with a tongue that still rests low tends to narrow again over time.
What to expect, step by step
- 01Exam and scan.We measure your palate, check your bite, and take a 3D scan that shows the palate seam and the bone. For adults, the scan tells us whether MARPE is likely to work. We also review breathing and tongue posture.
- 02The plan.Dr. Zelen plans the amount of expansion, the rate, and what comes after. You see the plan, the timeline, and the cost in writing, including the alignment phase if teeth need to move afterward.
- 03Placement.For kids, we fit the expander or deliver the first trays and practice with you. For MARPE, we numb the palate and place the mini-implants, then fit the expander to them. Most adults describe it as pressure rather than pain, and the visit takes about an hour.
- 04Active expansion.You widen the expander on a set schedule, by turning the screw or switching trays. We check in every week or two to track the separation on the scan and adjust the rate if needed.
- 05Holding phase.Once the width is reached, the expander stays in for a few months while new bone fills the gap. This phase feels uneventful, and it's the one that keeps the result.
- 06Alignment.With room made, Invisalign or braces line up the teeth in the new arch. For adults, that's when the gap between the front teeth closes.
Living with an expander, week by week
| When | What's normal |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Pressure after turns, a lisp for a few days, extra saliva |
| Weeks 2 to 6 | A gap opens between the front teeth as the palate widens, which is a good sign |
| Holding phase | No more turns, the expander stays in, bone fills in |
| Alignment | Expander comes out, aligners or braces close the gap and line up teeth |
Eating is easier than most people expect. Soft foods for the first few days, then back to normal with care around the appliance.
Side effects and what's normal
| Normal | Call us if |
|---|---|
| Pressure in the palate, nose, or cheeks after turns | Pain that doesn't ease with over-the-counter relief |
| A gap between the front teeth that closes later | The appliance feels loose |
| Slight speech change for a few days | Redness or swelling around a mini-implant |
Cost and financing
Expansion cost depends on the type of expander, how long treatment runs, and whether alignment follows. You'll get your cost in writing after your exam.
We file claims on your behalf and offer interest-free CareCredit plans. Financing options
Palatal expansion FAQ
Can adults get palatal expansion?
Adults can get palatal expansion with MARPE, which uses mini-implants to widen a fused upper jaw without surgery in most cases. We treat adults with it and expand slowly.
Does a palatal expander hurt?
A palatal expander causes pressure for a short time after each turn, and most people describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful. Mini-implant placement for MARPE uses local numbing.
How long does palatal expansion take?
Active expansion usually lasts weeks to a few months, followed by a holding phase of several months while new bone forms. Your plan sets the exact timeline.
What is MASPE?
MASPE is miniscrew-assisted slow palatal expansion. It uses the same mini-implant setup as MARPE but widens the palate at a slower rate.
Will expansion leave a gap in my front teeth?
A gap between the front teeth often opens during expansion. It's a sign the palate is widening, and we close it during alignment.
Can expansion help with snoring?
A wider upper jaw gives the tongue more room and widens the base of the nose, which can help some people who snore. We evaluate breathing as part of every plan, and snoring may need other treatment, too.
Where can I get a palatal expander near me in the Duluth area?
Mount Royal Dental provides palatal expanders for kids and MARPE for adults at our office on Woodland Avenue in Duluth, MN, and patients come from Hermantown, Superior, Two Harbors, Cloquet, and across the Northland. Call (218) 464-5222.
Palatal expansion on Woodland Avenue
Mount Royal Dental sits at 1624 Woodland Avenue, Duluth, MN 55803, at the corner of Woodland and St. Marie, next to the Mount Royal Shopping Center near UMD.
Monday 8 to 3, Tuesday through Thursday 8 to 4:30, Friday closed. Call (218) 464-5222.
