Palatal Expander and MARPE in Kissimmee, FL

Why Patients Choose Dr. Kendrick for Palatal Expansion

Palatal expansion is not simply about making room for crowded teeth. It involves the development of the upper jaw, the relationship between the upper and lower arches, facial balance, bite function, and, in some patients, airway concerns.

That is why experience matters.

Dr. James Kendrick is a board-certified orthodontist with more than 45 years of experience treating children, teens, and adults. He completed dental school followed by three additional years of advanced orthodontic education. His training included instruction from respected leaders in orthodontics as well as surgical training that helps him evaluate complex jaw and bite problems from a broader clinical perspective.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Kendrick has treated more than 30,000 patients, including many individuals with narrow upper jaws, crossbites, severe crowding, facial imbalance, and difficult orthodontic cases.

Patients travel to Kendrick Orthodontics from Kissimmee, Orlando, St. Cloud, Celebration, Davenport, Poinciana, and other Central Florida communities because Dr. Kendrick does more than straighten teeth. He studies how the teeth, jaws, bite, facial structure, and airway work together before recommending treatment.

For some patients, a traditional palatal expander is the right option. For selected older teens and adults, MARPE may provide another way to widen the upper jaw. Every recommendation is based on detailed imaging, anatomy, age, skeletal development, and the patient’s long-term treatment goals.

What Is a Palatal Expander?

A palatal expander is an orthodontic appliance designed to gradually widen the upper jaw.

The appliance usually fits along the roof of the mouth and applies controlled pressure over time. This helps broaden the upper arch and may create additional room for permanent teeth.

Palatal expansion may help:

• Correct certain crossbites
• Create space for crowded teeth
• Improve how the upper and lower teeth fit together
• Prepare the mouth for braces or clear aligners
• Reduce the need for tooth removal in selected cases
• Create a broader and more balanced dental arch

Traditional expanders are most commonly used in children and younger teens because the upper jaw is still developing and may respond more predictably to expansion.

Not every child with crowding needs an expander. Dr. Kendrick evaluates the entire bite and jaw relationship before deciding whether expansion is appropriate.

What Is MARPE?

MARPE stands for Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion.

A traditional expander usually relies on the teeth for support. A MARPE appliance uses small temporary orthodontic miniscrews placed in the palate to provide additional stability.

This allows more of the expansion force to be directed toward the upper jaw instead of relying entirely on the teeth.

MARPE may be considered for selected older teens and adults whose upper jaw is too narrow for predictable treatment with a traditional tooth-supported expander.

It may help create the foundation needed for:

• Braces
• Invisalign or other clear aligners
• Crossbite correction
• Crowding treatment
• Better coordination between the upper and lower arches
• More complex bite correction

MARPE is not appropriate for every adult, and it does not eliminate the need for jaw surgery in every case. Skeletal maturity, bone anatomy, gum health, jaw width, and the amount of expansion required all affect the treatment decision.

A complete orthodontic examination and proper imaging are necessary before determining whether MARPE is a safe and reasonable option.

Who May Benefit From Palatal Expansion?

A palatal expander or MARPE may be recommended when the upper jaw is too narrow or when there is not enough room within the upper dental arch.

Possible signs include:

• Upper teeth biting inside the lower teeth
• A unilateral or bilateral crossbite
• Significant crowding
• A narrow upper arch
• A narrow-looking smile
• Upper and lower arches that do not fit together properly
• Limited space for braces or clear aligners
• Bite asymmetry
• Teeth that shifted after previous orthodontic treatment

Some patients with a narrow upper jaw also report nasal breathing, snoring, or airway concerns. Expansion may influence the dimensions of the oral and nasal structures in selected patients, but it is not a guaranteed treatment for sleep apnea, snoring, or other medical breathing conditions.

Patients with significant breathing or sleep concerns may also need evaluation by a physician, ENT, or sleep specialist.

Palatal Expanders for Children

Children often benefit from an orthodontic evaluation before all permanent teeth have erupted.

When a narrow upper jaw or crossbite is identified early, a palatal expander may guide jaw development while the child is still growing.

Early expansion may:

• Correct certain crossbites
• Create room for developing permanent teeth
• Improve upper and lower jaw coordination
• Reduce uneven pressure on the teeth
• Make future orthodontic treatment more predictable

Early treatment does not always eliminate the need for braces later. Its purpose may be to correct a developing jaw or bite problem at the stage when treatment is most effective.

Dr. Kendrick will explain whether treatment should begin immediately or whether the child should be monitored as growth continues.

MARPE for Teens and Adults

Many adults assume palatal expansion is only possible during childhood.

Although expansion becomes more complex after growth is complete, MARPE may provide an option for selected older teens and adults.

MARPE may be considered when a patient has:

• A narrow upper jaw
• A posterior crossbite
• Significant upper-arch crowding
• Insufficient width for clear aligner treatment
• A mismatch between the upper and lower jaws
• Previous orthodontic treatment that did not correct the underlying width problem

Eligibility varies from patient to patient.

Dr. Kendrick evaluates bone density, palatal anatomy, skeletal maturity, periodontal health, tooth position, and the amount of expansion required before recommending treatment.

For some adults, MARPE may provide a nonsurgical expansion option. Other patients may still require surgically assisted expansion or a different orthodontic approach.

What Happens During Treatment?

Consultation and Imaging

Treatment begins with a complete orthodontic evaluation.

Dr. Kendrick examines the teeth, bite, jaws, facial balance, and available space. Digital scans, photographs, X-rays, and 3D imaging may be used to evaluate jaw width, tooth position, bone structure, and surrounding anatomy.

Personalized Treatment Plan

Dr. Kendrick will explain whether a traditional expander, MARPE, braces, clear aligners, or another treatment option is recommended.

You will also receive information about:

• Appliance placement
• Activation instructions
• Home care
• Follow-up visits
• Estimated treatment time
• The next stage after expansion

Appliance Placement

A traditional palatal expander is attached to selected upper teeth.

For MARPE, temporary orthodontic miniscrews help stabilize the appliance against the palate. The placement process depends on the specific appliance and treatment plan.

Activation

Some expanders are activated at home with a small key.

The appliance must be turned according to the exact schedule provided by Dr. Kendrick. Patients should never add extra turns or change the schedule without contacting the office.

Active Expansion

As the upper arch gradually widens, a temporary space may appear between the upper front teeth. This can be a normal sign that expansion is occurring.

The space is usually addressed during the next stage of orthodontic treatment.

Stabilization

After the desired expansion is achieved, the appliance normally remains in place for several months. This gives the surrounding bone and tissues time to stabilize.

Braces or clear aligners may begin during or after this phase, depending on the treatment plan.

Does a Palatal Expander Hurt?

Most patients describe pressure, tightness, or mild tenderness rather than pain.

The tongue, cheeks, and speech may need a short period to adjust to the appliance. A slight lisp can occur at first but usually improves as the patient becomes accustomed to speaking with the expander.

During the first few days, it may help to:

• Eat softer foods
• Take smaller bites
• Drink water during meals
• Speak slowly while adjusting
• Use orthodontic wax if recommended
• Follow all cleaning instructions

Contact Kendrick Orthodontics if the appliance feels loose, breaks, causes sharp irritation, or produces unusual discomfort.

Eating and Cleaning With an Expander

Good oral hygiene is important because food can collect around the appliance.

Patients should:

• Brush carefully around the expander
• Clean along the gumline
• Rinse after meals
• Use a water flosser if recommended
• Avoid sticky, chewy, and very hard foods
• Keep the activation key in a safe place

Avoid foods such as gum, caramel, hard candy, ice, and very crunchy snacks because they can loosen or damage the appliance.

Our team will show you how to clean the expander and care for it properly at home.

How Long Does Expansion Take?

The active expansion phase often lasts several weeks, but the exact timing depends on the patient and the appliance.

The expander usually remains in place longer than the active turning period so the new width can stabilize.

Treatment time depends on:

• The patient’s age
• The amount of expansion required
• The appliance used
• The response of the upper jaw
• The complexity of the bite
• Whether braces or aligners are also needed

Dr. Kendrick will provide a more specific estimate after reviewing the patient’s records and treatment needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a palatal expander prevent tooth extraction?

Expansion may create additional space and reduce the need for tooth removal in some patients. It cannot prevent extraction in every case.

Can adults use a palatal expander?

Some adults may qualify for MARPE or another expansion method. A traditional childhood expander is not appropriate for every adult.

Is MARPE the same as jaw surgery?

No. MARPE uses orthodontic miniscrews to help support expansion. It is different from surgically assisted palatal expansion.

Can I get Invisalign after MARPE?

Yes. Some patients continue treatment with Invisalign or another clear aligner system after expansion.

Will an expander change my face?

Expansion may create subtle changes in the smile and surrounding facial structures. The amount of visible change varies by patient.

Can expansion improve breathing?

Expansion may influence airflow or nasal dimensions in selected patients, but results vary and cannot be guaranteed.

What happens after the expander is removed?

Many patients continue with braces or clear aligners to align the teeth, close temporary spaces, and complete bite correction.

Schedule a Palatal Expander or MARPE Consultation in Kissimmee

A narrow upper jaw can affect crowding, crossbite, bite balance, orthodontic treatment, and the overall appearance of the smile.

Kendrick Orthodontics provides personalized palatal expander and MARPE evaluations for children, teens, and adults in Kissimmee and throughout Central Florida.

Schedule a free consultation with Dr. James Kendrick to find out whether palatal expansion is appropriate for you or your child.

Questions about treatment, cost, or timing? We’ll make it simple.

Call Kendrick Orthodontics at (407) 870-9848 or schedule your free consultation online.