Widen Your Jaw Without Surgery. Breathe Better Tonight.
If you’ve been told your upper jaw is too narrow — or that jaw surgery is your only option — a palatal expander for adults may be the solution you didn’t know existed. At Hamada Orthodontics in Metairie, Dr. Allison Hamada uses MARPE (Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) to widen the adult jaw without surgery, improving breathing, sleep quality, and bite alignment for patients throughout the Greater New Orleans area.
Crossbite, crowding, snoring, jaw pain — if a narrow palate is behind it, adult palatal expansion can fix the structure that’s been causing problems for years.
Schedule Your Free ConsultationWhat Is Adult Palatal Expansion?
Palatal expansion slowly widens your upper jaw to create more room for your teeth, your tongue, and — most importantly — your airway. In children, this is straightforward because the two halves of the palate haven’t fused yet. In adults, the mid-palatal suture has become highly interwoven bone, which means traditional expanders (tooth-borne expanders) won’t work.
That’s where MARPE comes in. MARPE uses small temporary anchorage devices (TADs) placed in the roof of the mouth to apply controlled pressure directly to the bone, rather than relying on the teeth alone.
This allows true skeletal expansion — meaning the actual bone widens, not just the dental arch. The result is a broader palate, improved nasal breathing, and a foundation for long-term bite stability.
Dr. Hamada takes an airway-centric approach to every case, which means adult palatal expansion isn’t just about making room for teeth.
It’s about addressing the potential root cause of problems like snoring, poor sleep, and chronic mouth breathing that a narrow jaw has been quietly making worse for years.
Why Would an Adult Need a Palatal Expander?
Many adults don’t realize that problems they’ve lived with their entire lives often trace back to a narrow upper jaw. If any of the following sound familiar, adult palatal expansion may be worth exploring:
Crossbite. When your upper teeth sit inside your lower teeth rather than outside them, your bite is misaligned. This creates uneven wear, jaw strain, and often contributes to TMJ discomfort. Expansion corrects the skeletal mismatch so the arches fit together properly.
Crowding and relapse. Adults whose teeth have shifted after previous orthodontic treatment — or who never had enough room for their teeth in the first place — often benefit from expansion before braces or clear aligners. Creating space skeletally can reduce or eliminate the need for extractions.
Snoring and sleep issues. The roof of your mouth is the floor of your nasal cavity. When the palate is narrow, so is the nasal airway. Many adults who snore, mouth breathe, or have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea have an underlying structural issue that MARPE can address. Learn more about our sleep and breathing treatments.
Have a child that mouth breathes? See if it could be the reason they have some behavioral problems.
TMJ pain and jaw tension. A narrow upper jaw forces the lower jaw into a compromised position, which can strain the temporomandibular joint and the muscles around it. Expansion restores proper width, giving both jaws room to function without compensation. Our TMJ and myofunctional care program addresses these concerns comprehensively.
Could Your Jaw Be Too Narrow?
Check any that apply to you — the more you recognize, the more likely expansion could help.
Tap the symptoms above to see if adult palatal expansion might be right for you.
This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. A clinical exam with Dr. Hamada is the only way to determine if MARPE is right for you.
How MARPE Works at Hamada Orthodontics
From first visit to final result — here’s what the process looks like.
Comprehensive Evaluation
First visitClinical exam, 3D imaging, and an airway assessment. Dr. Hamada evaluates your jaw structure, bite, and breathing to determine whether MARPE is the right approach for you.
Custom Appliance Design
1–2 weeksYour MARPE is designed and fabricated specifically for your anatomy using digital impressions and your 3D imaging data. No two appliances are the same.
In-Office Placement
~20 minutesTADs and the expander are placed in a single appointment using local anesthesia. No hospital, no general anesthesia, no overnight stay.
Gradual Expansion at Home
4–8 weeksYou’ll activate the expander at home with a small key, following a slow, body-guided protocol. Most patients describe the sensation as mild pressure — not pain.
Stabilization
3–6 monthsThe appliance stays in place while new bone fills the expanded suture. Regular check-ins ensure everything is healing as planned.
Finishing Treatment
VariesOnce expansion is stable, braces or clear aligners fine-tune tooth alignment. Because your jaw is now the right width, this phase is often shorter and more predictable.
MARPE vs. Jaw Surgery
Two ways to widen an adult jaw — very different experiences.
| MARPE | SARPE (Jaw Surgery) | |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | In-office, ~20 minutes | Surgical suite procedure |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia only | General anesthesia required |
| Hospital stay | None — go home the same day | Typically required |
| Recovery | Mild pressure for a few days | 2–4 weeks of surgical recovery |
| Incisions | None | Surgical cuts along the palatal suture |
| Success rate | Above 90% in adults | High, but carries surgical risks |
| Cost | Generally lower | Higher (surgeon, anesthesia, facility) |
| Best for | Mild to moderate transverse deficiency, airway improvement | Severe skeletal discrepancies or complex cases |
MARPE isn’t right for every case. During your evaluation, Dr. Hamada will review all options and recommend the path that gives you the best outcome with the least intervention.
Benefits of Adult Palatal Expansion
The effects go well beyond what shows up in your smile.
Better Nasal Breathing
Widening the palate directly expands the nasal cavity, reducing resistance and making it easier to breathe through your nose all day and all night.
Improved Sleep
Adults who struggle with snoring, fragmented sleep, or mild to moderate sleep apnea often experience meaningful improvement after expansion.
Wider, More Balanced Smile
Expansion creates room for teeth to sit in proper alignment, resulting in a broader arch and a smile that fills out your face naturally.
TMJ & Jaw Relief
When the upper jaw is the right width, the lower jaw settles into its natural position — reducing chronic jaw pain, headaches, and teeth grinding.
More Stable Results
Teeth aligned within a jaw that’s the right size stay put. Expansion fixes the structural problem that caused crowding or relapse in the first place.
Avoids Extractions
Creating space skeletally can reduce or eliminate the need to pull teeth — keeping your natural dentition intact while achieving alignment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for MARPE?
MARPE is designed for skeletally mature patients — meaning teens and adults whose jaw growth is complete. Dr. Hamada may recommend MARPE if you have:
A narrow upper jaw confirmed by clinical exam and imaging. A posterior crossbite or bilateral crossbite. Significant crowding that would otherwise require extractions.
Nasal airway constriction related to a narrow palate. A history of orthodontic relapse tied to inadequate jaw width. Snoring, mouth breathing, or mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea with a structural component.
Not sure if you qualify? That’s exactly what the consultation is for. Dr. Hamada evaluates every patient individually, using 3D imaging and airway analysis to determine whether MARPE — or another approach — will give you the best result.
What Our Patients Say
The process from beginning to end was exceptional. Dr. Hamada and the entire staff were welcoming and made my experience very easy. They were extremely accommodating, comforting, invested, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend Hamada Orthodontics.
Dr. Hamada and her team are amazing!! I’ve had nothing but good experiences from them. I always receive compliments on my teeth and smile and I am confident in my smile again!!
Dr. Hamada and her staff are incredibly knowledgeable and thorough in explaining the entire process. The way she conducts her practice is phenomenal.
What to Expect: Recovery, Timeline, and Results
Is it painful? Most patients report mild pressure or a tingling sensation after each activation. Significant pain is uncommon. Over-the-counter pain relief is usually sufficient for the first few days.
How long does treatment take? Active expansion takes 4–16 weeks. The appliance stays in place for 3–6 months after that to allow the bone to stabilize. If follow-up orthodontic treatment is needed, total treatment time varies based on complexity.
Will I see a gap between my front teeth? Yes, but it will be small, and temporary — a temporary gap between the upper front teeth is actually a sign that the expansion is working at the skeletal level. This gap is managed with braces at the same time as the expansion.
Can I eat normally? You’ll want to avoid very hard or sticky foods while the appliance is in place. Most patients adapt quickly and return to a normal diet within a few days.
What about speech? Some patients notice a temporary adjustment in how certain sounds feel. This typically resolves within a week as the tongue adapts to the appliance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Palatal Expanders for Adults
Can adults really get palatal expanders?
Yes. While traditional expanders only work in children whose palatal suture hasn’t fused, MARPE uses bone-anchored mini-implants to achieve true skeletal expansion in adults.
This is a well-established treatment with a high success rate, and Dr. Hamada has the advanced training and technology to offer it at our Metairie office.
How much does a palatal expander for adults cost?
The cost of adult palatal expansion with MARPE varies based on the complexity of your case and whether additional orthodontic treatment is needed afterward.
At Hamada Orthodontics, we offer flexible payment plans and will verify your insurance benefits before treatment begins. Your consultation includes a full cost breakdown with no surprises.
Is MARPE covered by dental insurance?
Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic coverage that can apply to MARPE treatment. Coverage varies by plan, so our team will work directly with your insurance provider to maximize your benefits.
What’s the difference between MARPE and traditional braces?
MARPE and braces serve different purposes. MARPE widens the upper jaw at the skeletal level, creating space and improving the airway.
Braces or aligners move individual teeth into alignment. Many patients use MARPE first to establish the right foundation, then finish with braces or Invisalign to perfect their bite and smile.
Can a palatal expander help with sleep apnea?
Research supports palatal expansion as an effective treatment for adults with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, particularly when a narrow upper jaw is contributing to airway restriction.
By widening the palate, MARPE increases nasal cavity volume and gives the tongue more room to rest in a forward position, reducing obstruction during sleep. Dr. Hamada evaluates airway structure as part of every new patient consultation.
How do I know if my jaw is too narrow?
Signs of a narrow upper jaw include a crossbite, crowded teeth, a high and narrow palatal vault, chronic nasal congestion, mouth breathing, snoring, and a smile that appears narrow relative to your face.
A clinical exam with 3D imaging is the only way to confirm whether expansion is indicated.
Does MARPE hurt more than braces?
Most patients describe MARPE as producing pressure rather than pain. The initial adjustment period is comparable to getting braces tightened. Discomfort is typically mild and manageable with over-the-counter medication.
Where can I get a palatal expander for adults near New Orleans?
Hamada Orthodontics offers MARPE treatment for adults at three convenient locations serving the Greater New Orleans metro area: Metairie, Luling, and Destrehan.
Dr. Hamada specializes in airway-centric orthodontics and has the advanced training required to plan and place MARPE appliances in-office.
Take the First Step Toward Better Breathing and a Healthier Bite
If you’ve been living with a narrow jaw, chronic congestion, snoring, or a bite that never felt right, adult palatal expansion with MARPE could change more than your smile — it could change how you breathe, sleep, and feel every day.
