marpe / maspe
Palate expander for a better bite, better breathing and better health
Congestion. Crowded teeth. Waking up tired no matter how much you sleep. A tongue that has nowhere to rest. These are not unrelated complaints – they may all point to a narrow palate. MARPE/MASPE palatal expansion are techniques that widen the palate, creating room for the teeth, the tongue, and the airway to function optimally. For patients who need it, the results can be life-changing. Dr. Lena Sapozhnikoff has dedicated years of advanced training to this work and brings both deep expertise and genuine passion to every case she treats at her Lower Manhattan practice.
What is palatal expansion and how does it work?
Your palate – the roof of your mouth – is made of two halves that meet in the middle. When it's too narrow, teeth crowd together, the tongue can't rest where it should, and breathing may be harder than it needs to be. Palatal expansion widens the palate by gently separating those two halves over time. Dr. Lena places a small device on the roof of your mouth, anchored with temporary mini-screws. You activate it at home with small, regular turns, each one applying gentle, controlled pressure that gradually opens the palate and encourages new bone to form in the space created. The result is permanent change in the width of your palate and your airway.
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Watch Dr. Lena explain what MARPE/MASPE is and how it works
MARPE and MASPE – What is the difference?
MARPE – Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion – has been a widely used and effective technique for palatal expansion. The clinical protocol has since evolved, and the field is transitioning toward MASPE – Miniscrew-Assisted Slow Palatal Expansion – which widens the palate more gradually with slower, more controlled force. The result is more even, predictable expansion results with less discomfort throughout treatment. A gap between the front teeth is common with rapid expansion, but with slow expansion, this is significantly reduced.
Dr. Lena's protocol uses a bandless appliance and slow, controlled activation. One of the notable advantages of this approach is that Invisalign or Braces can be worn throughout the expansion phase, meaning your palate is widening and your teeth are moving into alignment at the same time, rather than sequentially.
book an appointmentDr. Lena's protocol uses a bandless appliance and slow, controlled activation. One of the notable advantages of this approach is that Invisalign or Braces can be worn throughout the expansion phase, meaning your palate is widening and your teeth are moving into alignment at the same time, rather than sequentially.
What changes after palate expansion treatment?
The benefits of palatal expansion often exceed what patients expect at the beginning. Expansion can increase nasal volume by up to 25%, and many patients describe breathing through their nose easily for the first time in years.
Common changes include:
Common changes include:
- Easier nasal breathing
- Better sleep quality
- Increased energy
- Crowding and crossbite corrected
- Wider, more balanced smile
- Reduced mouth breathing
- Improved bite function
- Better facial balance
- Reduction in sleep-disordered breathing
Who is a candidate?
MARPE/MASPE Palate Expansion is appropriate for older adolescents and adults. For younger children, Dr. Lena recommends conventional expanders – see the Phase One page for more information. For patients with very dense bone or a more resistant suture, Dr. Lena also coordinates minimally invasive surgical support, including palatal corticotomy or DOME (Distraction Osteogenesis Maxillary Expansion) in collaboration with an ENT, to make safe, effective expansion possible when it might not otherwise be.
Lena’s personal experience with MARPE
Why choose Dr. Lena?
Dr. Lena Sapozhnikoff has completed advanced training in miniscrew-assisted expansion ,including the Tiger Screw Power System and DOME protocol, and works with a specialized lab to digitally design each appliance for the individual patient's anatomy. No two cases are the same, and her approach reflects that. A consultation is the first step to understanding whether palatal expansion is right for you.
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