Just bit the bullet and paid $16k to do a custom MARPE with Invisalign. I’m 24. Found a really reputable provider in CA and I do trust her, but I’m worried she’s not super in tune with my aesthetic concerns.
I’m doing MARPE for functional reasons. Every orthodontist I’ve seen has said I’m a surgical case. I have mild apnea, mouth breather (despite deviated septum surgery), no space for my tongue, a bad open bite, tongue thrust, nasally voice—all caused by a narrow palate and an underdeveloped/recessed maxilla.
The proposed plan is for me to expand 7-8mm (from 40mm IMW, see picture, to ~47mm IMW). I would be doing the forward pull bow headgear to hopefully get 2-3mm of forward growth.
I’m deep in all the reddit subs/FB groups and have pretty much looked through all the before and afters. It seems like anyone who expanded >~7mm developed “balloon face” and sort of looks uncanny due to the drastic increase in maxilla width.
Can someone who may have had a similar protocol/experience to me give any insight into how it changed their facial aesthetics? Positive/negative?
I do obviously have an underdeveloped maxilla and would appreciate some lateral cheekbone development, but not too much as to throw off facial harmony. I’m also concerned since I have a narrow forehead that over-expanding the maxilla would emphasize the sort of prehistoric balloon face look. I want to improve my breathing and all the issues that come with an underdeveloped maxilla, but I’m also scared it’ll make me look worse.
My ortho/MARPE provider says aesthetic changes for me will be “mild and positive,” but I’m not very reassured.
Here to say I started my orthodontic journey basically with the same bite as you. Nothing, and I repeat NOTHING compares to MARPE when it comes to nasal breathing. It has been the greatest help in that department. It’s also so helpful to have space for your tongue. I also had an anterior open bite and was a “tongue thruster” but like, where else was I supposed to put my tongue without any space in my palate? But I digress. I think a MARPE will really help you both functionally and aesthetically. :)
hey girl jaw. how’d u like fme compared to custom marpe?
Are you saying that even FME doesn’t compare to MARPE when it comes to nasal breathing?
If so, why do you think that is?
Not saying that at all. When I say MARPE, I meant ALL marpes. FME, MSE, MARPE. All of the skeletal expanders.
I’m 40 and did MARPE back in the spring. Didn’t notice any changes to my facial aesthetics however I’m nearing the end of braces already and prepping for the hopefully one and done jaw surgery. I got substantial expansion though - probably 95% of the expansion needed. Brackets are doing the rest
Hi, may I ask you where did you do yours? I’m also around your age and they want to do lateral corticotomy as they claim “older patient’s maxilla won’t separate/split” and I’d like to go with MARPE to get the full breathing benefit.
Corticotomy and piezo cut would be very good choice especially if you are male and over 25. Their statement would be correct in that context. My husband needed piezo and corticonomy to split at 33
Thank you for the input, I was thinking about the breathing and aesthetic benefit from either (MARPE or SAMARPE - SARPE-MARPE expansion) some people claim the aesthetic benefit is greater with corticotomy at older patients as the movements are bigger (not as limited as only midpalatal separation+MARPE, as it is usually limited in magnitude with older patients), others claim MARPE without lateral corticotomy deliver greater aesthetic changes because of the zygoma, I’m a bit confused now.
I did mine in Knoxville, Tennessee. They told me MARPE has worked well for their older patients (over 35) it just usually takes longer to achieve results. Ironically my split took a little longer than normal it seems but everything fused a couple months after that (confirmed by x ray). They also took the MARPE out right after the split/max extension and made a special retainer (removable) for me to wear while it fused. I’ve had the braces on 6 months now and had my halfway appointment in November
Thank you, I’m glad you had a smooth ride, I don’t know if not for lateral corticotomy I will miss some additional benefits compared to MARPE alone (if older patients split with only midpalatal assist).