MARPE/MAPDO Airway Expansion
In many teens and adults, sleep apnea and breathing issues are not just soft tissue problems, they
are structural. When the upper jaw is narrow, the nasal airway is also narrow, making stable nasal
breathing more difficult during sleep and throughout the day.
MARPE/MAPDO is an advanced, implant-supported method of widening the upper jaw in
skeletally mature adults. Unlike traditional orthodontics that primarily move teeth,
MARPE/MAPDO is designed to create true skeletal expansion and improve the structure of the
midface.
By expanding the upper jaw, we can increase nasal volume, improve airflow resistance, create
more room for proper tongue posture, and support healthier breathing patterns. Structural
changes to the jaw and airway can positively impact sleep quality, oxygen flow, snoring, sleep
apnea, jaw tension, and overall health.
We begin with detailed airway screening and 3D imaging to evaluate the structure of the jaws,
nasal cavity, and airway. Treatment is carefully planned using CBCT imaging, precise mini-
implant placement, controlled expansion protocols, and when needed, supportive procedures
such as corticotomy or functional tongue tie release.
Candidates for MARPE/MAPDO may experience:
Chronic mouth breathing
Snoring or sleep apnea symptoms
Difficulty breathing through the nose
Narrow dental arches or crowding
Jaw tension or clenching
CPAP intolerance
Treatment is performed gradually and in a controlled manner to encourage stable skeletal
widening and long-term airway improvement. Most expansion phases last approximately 3–6
months followed by a stabilization period.
Our goal is not simply cosmetic orthodontics. It is structural airway care focused on doing
everything possible to improve breathing, sleep, function, and long-term health through
measurable, data-driven treatment.
Our office evaluates and treats the development and structure of the midface and
craniofacial airway complex. We do not diagnose or treat obstructive sleep apnea or
other medical sleep disorders. Patients with suspected sleep apnea should be
evaluated by a qualified physician or sleep specialist. Our treatments are designed to
support improved airway structure and function but are not intended to replace medical
diagnosis or treatment.