07/17/2026
Palatal expansion was long considered a procedure for children. MARPE changed the timeline.
MARPE, miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion, uses skeletal anchorage to widen the upper jaw in adults whose palatal suture has already fused. The distinction matters: it is not designed to tip teeth outward. It works by moving bone.
That structural change can create room for nasal volume, airway space, tongue posture, and a bite that functions the way it was built to.
The expander is turned in small increments over time, followed by a retention phase while the bone stabilizes. Skeletal expansion is what makes the result hold.
Adult expansion is a structural decision, and it belongs with a clinician trained to read the skeleton, not only the smile. Dr. Lisa Jolly is a board-certified craniofacial orthodontist and airway specialist, and this is precisely her territory.
If you were told expansion was no longer an option for you, it may be worth a second look.
Consultations in Manhattan and Greenwich. Link in bio.
Better Health Through Biologic Dentistry.