marpe / maspe
MARPE, MASPE & Facegenics for a better bite, better breathing & health
Congestion. Crowded teeth. Waking up tired no matter how much you sleep. A tongue that has nowhere to rest. These may all point to a narrow palate. MARPE, MASPE, and Facegenics palatal expansion are techniques that gently widen the palate, creating room for the teeth, the tongue, and the airway to function optimally. Dr. Lena Sapozhnikoff has dedicated years of advanced training to this work and brings 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. Dr. Lena places a small expander on the roof of your mouth, anchored with temporary mini-screws. You activate it at home with small, regular turns — each applying gentle, controlled pressure that gradually widens 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.
Palatal expansion is not a stand-alone treatment. It is always followed by braces or Invisalign, and in many cases the two phases run concurrently, keeping your treatment timeline as short as possible.
learn more about Marpe/MaspePalatal expansion is not a stand-alone treatment. It is always followed by braces or Invisalign, and in many cases the two phases run concurrently, keeping your treatment timeline as short as possible.
Watch Dr. Lena explain what MARPE/MASPE is and how it works
MARPE & MASPE: What's 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 with less discomfort, and a significantly reduced gap between the front teeth. Dr. Lena's protocol uses a bandless appliance and slow, controlled activation, an approach that also allows Invisalign or braces to be worn throughout the expansion phase, so alignment and expansion happen simultaneously.
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Facegenics (FME): Fixed Micro Expander
The Facegenics FME — Fixed Micro Expander — anchors entirely to the bone of the roof of the mouth, with nothing touching or pulling on the teeth at all. Built-in guide rails keep expansion moving in a precise, controlled direction throughout treatment. It's made entirely of titanium — MRI-safe and suitable for patients with metal allergies. The Facegenics FME may be the right choice for:
- Adults whose palate is more resistant and needs a stronger, more direct force to respond
- Patients who have had jaw surgery or facial trauma — where anchoring to the teeth isn't reliable
- Patients who had a nose job or septum surgery and still can't breathe freely — often because the real issue was the width of the palate beneath it, not the septum itself
- Patients with metal allergies — the all-titanium design makes it compatible where other appliances aren't
What changes after Palate Expansion treatment?
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 for Palatal Expansion?
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. For patients with very dense bone or a highly resistant suture, Dr. Lena coordinates surgical support — including palatal corticotomy or DOME in collaboration with an ENT — to make safe, effective expansion possible. Whether expansion is right for you depends on your individual anatomy, determined after a full evaluation including a 3D scan.
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. Additionally, Dr. Lena teaches Maxillary Expansion and Airway Screening courses to other medical professionals. A consultation is the first step in understanding whether palatal expansion is right for you.
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