Combat Obstructive Sleep Apnea
MARPE stands for Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion and is a device used to combat Obstructive Sleep Apnea. OSA is a serious issue that occurs when your airways are blocked while you sleep in a way that makes it not only difficult to breathe but dangerous to sleep. MARPE is a non-surgical treatment that expands the upper jaw, or the maxilla.
During this procedure, we will place a maxillary expander in the top of the mouth along with mini-screws on the mid palatal suture. This process is not usually very painful and the original treatment takes place under anesthesia. Afterward, patients can take over-the-counter pain medicine to help combat any mild discomfort. After the procedure, patients will need to turn the miniscrew every day for at least four months to activate the maxillary expander. The suture will begin to split and a gap will form in between the patient’s two front teeth. This gap is then closed by way of orthodontic treatment.
As a device expands the maxillary bone, it opens up the nasal cavity and gives the tongue a place to sit toward the front of the mouth. OSA is caused by the tongue being out of place and making the breathing pathway narrow. This typically results in a noise we’re all familiar with, snoring.
Once the upper jaw is expanded and the tongue has a new position, the airways are widened and individuals can breathe easier while they rest. MARPE allows us to create a wider bone expansion without threatening the integrity of the rest of your dental health.
The long-term benefits outweigh any discomfort patients deal with after the procedure as it gives them a better quality of life and the ability to sleep safe and sound. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not a threat to just your oral health but your overall health, and we are passionate about providing quality and safety through orthodontic care to all members of our community.