MARPE is a maxillary expander that is supported by tiny mini screws placed in the upper palate. Unlike traditional expanders that push on the teeth, MARPE’s unique placement in the roof of the mouth creates skeletal changes. This not only increases upper arch width, but also gives more nasal breathing volume and development in the midface. This is why MARPE is often the best non-surgical alternative for adults who previously had no other options.
This Allows
Maxillary skeletal expansion is not just cosmetic work. It is functional and foundational.
“My expansion journey has been about so much more than widening my smile. It has opened space for better breathing, improved alignment, and a greater sense of overall well-being. Each step has felt like creating room – not just in my airway and dental structure, but in my life – for growth, balance, and a healthier future.”
We begin with a full airway, skeletal, and bite assessment using CBCT imaging, digital scans, and functional evaluation.
Every miniscrew site is pre-planned in optimal bone. The appliance is digitally designed and 3D-printed for your unique anatomy.
The appliance is placed using custom guides.
Expansion and breathing changes begin as soon as 1-3 weeks, even in older teens and adults.
Dr. Green guides slow, controlled activation to widen the maxilla without creating a large gap.
Avoid a visible gap in the front teeth and optimize alignment for perfect smile at the same time!
Custom MARPE at AFD uses a fully digital, precision-engineered workflow:
Dr. Joanna Green has dedicated over a decade of her clinical practice to optimize growth, breathing, and lifelong wellness. As a general dentist and founder of the Center for Airway and Facial Development (AFD), she provides focused care for both children and adults with airway, sleep, and facial development concerns.
Having treated patients from infancy through adulthood, Dr. Green understands how poor breathing and suboptimal facial growth in childhood can impact health for decades. While early intervention is ideal, many adults were never properly evaluated—or were told their concerns were “normal”—and later experienced orthodontic treatment or extractions that failed to support healthy airway development.
Dr. Green believes in collaborative, patient-centered care and works closely with families and a multidisciplinary healthcare team to create individualized treatment plans. Her mission is to help patients of all ages breathe better, sleep better, and achieve lasting wellness.
Professional Credentials
