A Guide to Understanding the MASPE Palatal Expander

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about your MASPE expander, including what it does, how to activate it at home, and what to expect throughout treatment.

If you’ve been researching palatal expansion for adults, you may have come across the MASPE appliance. It may sound like a completely separate appliance or a new treatment—but in reality, MASPE is not a different device from a MARPE. It’s a term that has been coined to describe a specific way that the appliance is activated, not a new or different expander.

Understanding this distinction is important, because success with palate expansion depends far more on diagnosis and protocols than on the name attached to an appliance.

Palatal expansion is often a common and important part of orthodontic treatment, and our orthodontic team is here to support you every step of the way. If you ever have questions or concerns, please reach out—we’ve got your back.

What is MASPE?

To understand what MASPE is, it is first important to understand what MARPE is.

MAPRE stands for Mini-Implant Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion. It is an orthodontic treatment used to widen a narrow upper jaw (maxilla), most commonly in teens and adults whose palatal suture is more mature and resistant to traditional expanders.

Unlike conventional expanders that push primarily on teeth, MARPE uses temporary anchorage devices (TADs)—small, medical-grade screws placed in the palate—to help direct expansion forces into bone. This increases the likelihood of achieving true skeletal (jaw) widening while reducing unwanted tooth tipping and other side effects.

MARPE is widely supported in orthodontic literature and has been used successfully for many years when carefully planned and monitored.

So… What Is MASPE?

MASPE is not a separate appliance.
It is a term used to describe the activation protocol for a MARPE expander.

In other words:

MASPE = MARPE appliance + a specific way of turning it

The term “MASPE” has gained traction online and on social media, but it does not represent a fundamentally different device, or concept. It simply refers to how the expander is activated over time. At Godley Family Orthodontics, our orthodontist has always used gentle, slow MASPE activation protocols.

Why Might Someone Need MASPE?

A narrow upper jaw can contribute to several dental and functional concerns, including:

Crowded teeth (not enough space)
Crossbite (upper teeth biting inside the lower teeth)
A narrow or “V-shaped” upper arch
Dark spaces at the corners of the smile (buccal corridors)
Restricted nasal airflow or airway/breathing concerns

Your orthodontist determines whether MASPE is appropriate based on a full evaluation, including measurements of your smile and bite, photos, digital scans, and imaging.

Why We Use a MASPE Appliance

The MASPE expander is a powerful and precise tool for widening the upper jaw in teens and adults whose growth has slowed or completed.

Palatal expansion with MASPE can:

Improve how the upper and lower teeth fit together
Create space for crowded teeth
Broaden a narrow smile
Support airway health and breathing in certain cases
Improve long-term bite stability and facial balance

Understanding MASPE Activation

What Does “Activation” Mean?

Activation is the process of turning the expander screw using a small key (wrench). Each turn gently widens the appliance, which in turn slowly widens the upper jaw.

The goal of MASPE activation is to encourage opening of the midpalatal suture (a natural seam in the roof of the mouth), allowing the upper jaw to widen at the skeletal level—not just by tipping teeth outward. In other words, it “un-zips” and widens the suture in the middle of the upper jaw.

Your Personalized Activation Plan

Each MASPE plan is customized. At your appointment, you will be given specific instructions for:

How many turns to do per day
In which direction to perform the turns
Whether or not to use stretching turns
How long to continue activation

Always follow the instructions provided by your orthodontist exactly.

About the MASPE Tiger Screw

The MASPE appliance used at our office is designed with a Tiger Power Screw, which allows for precise, controlled expansion.

A full 360° turn of the screw equals ~1 mm of expansion
Each single turn of the screw equals approximately ~0.17 mm
You will be instructed how many turns to perform each day

This design allows gradual, predictable expansion while maintaining comfort and safety.

Step-by-Step MASPE Activation Instructions

Use the wrench provided at your appointment.
Insert the wrench fully onto the hex at the center of the screw.
Turn the wrench in the direction instructed.
Each face of the hex equals one turn, or one increment of activation.
Remove the wrench carefully by wiggling down to slide off the screw.

Important:

Only turn as instructed—more is not better.
Never force the screw.
If the wrench does not turn easily, stop and call our office.

Stretching Turns: Why We Use Them

For many adult patients, especially in the early phase of expansion, stretching turns are sometimes recommended.

What Are Stretching Turns?

Stretching turns involve an open/close technique, allowing your tissues to adapt more gradually. This protocol is sometimes done for up to three weeks prior to full activation turns. It is intended to disarticulate/mobilize sutures around the upper jaw, and to promote better response to expansion.

Why Stretching Turns Are Helpful

Improves comfort
Reduces pressure
Encourages controlled, consistent expansion

Example of Stretching Turns

A cyclic or stretching protocol intentionally alternates loading and unloading in opposite directions. This may look like:

Expand → reverse (constrict) → expand → reverse

This is often done over a period of one to three weeks.

Why Faster Isn’t Always Better

While MARPE is considered a “rapid” expansion technique, research and clinical experience show that activation speed should be personalized, and is often done at a slow, gentle pace. This is the whole concept of MASPE.

In adults, slow and controlled protocols (often including stretching turns) may:

Improve comfort
Reduce stress on teeth and bone
Lower the risk of complications
Encourage more predictable skeletal response

This doesn’t mean faster activation is wrong—it means the best activation plan is the one designed specifically for you.

What’s Normal During MASPE Treatment?

You may notice:

Temporary speech changes (a slight lisp)
Tooth or jaw soreness during activation
Pressure or tingling in the nose, cheeks, or palate
A bite that feels “off” temporarily
A space forming between the front teeth (this is expected and a sign the appliance is working)

Don’t worry—these changes are temporary and will be addressed as treatment progresses.

MASPE Do’s & Don’ts

✅ Do:

Follow your activation instructions exactly
Use the wrench properly
Keep the appliance very clean
Take medications as prescribed

❌ Don’t:

Double up on turns
Turn more than instructed
Eat sticky, chewy, or crunchy foods
Ignore swelling, pain, or loose screws

Why Terminology Matters Less Than Expertise

Names like “MASPE” can make treatments sound newer or more advanced than they actually are.

What truly matters is:

Proper diagnosis
Thoughtful appliance design
Individualized activation
Clinical monitoring

When MARPE or MASPE is planned and managed correctly, the orthodontist may adjust turning speed, frequency, or rest periods—regardless of what label is used.

Common Questions About MASPE

Is MASPE a new or separate treatment?

No. MASPE is not a new appliance or a replacement for MARPE. It is a term for a specific activation style used with MARPE expanders.

Is MASPE better than MARPE?

This is a common misconception. Since MASPE uses a MARPE appliance, it’s not an “either/or” comparison. The real question is: Which activation protocol is best for this patient? The answer depends on individual anatomy and biology—not terminology.

Does MASPE avoid the need for surgery?

In some patients, carefully planned MARPE or MASPE can successfully achieve skeletal expansion without surgery. However, no activation protocol guarantees non-surgical success in all adults. In more resistant cases, surgical assistance (such as SARPE or LeFort) may be the most predictable option.

Is MASPE supported by research?

The use of the MARPE appliance is well supported in orthodontic literature. Research on different activation strategies—including slower, staged, or cyclic protocols—is ongoing.

Can patients choose their own turning protocol?

No. Expansion protocols should never be self-directed or chosen based on online trends. Improper activation can lead to pain, tooth tipping, fractures, asymmetry, or incomplete expansion. It is very important that activation is performed according to your orthodontist’s prescription.

How long does activation last?
Expansion can last from 1 to 4 months, depending on how much expansion is needed and how your body responds. The appliance typically stays in for additional time to stabilize the expansion.

Will MASPE hurt?
Most patients feel mild to moderate pressure rather than pain. Stretching turns help make activation more comfortable.

What if I forget a turn?
Do not perform extra turns if you miss a day.

Why do I feel pressure in my nose or cheeks?
The upper jaw connects to surrounding facial structures, so mild pressure changes in the areas of eyes, nose, and cheeks can be normal during expansion.

Will the gap between my front teeth close?
Yes! A gap between teeth is a sign the expansion is working. This will be closed it during the next phase of orthodontic treatment.

Final Takeaway

MASPE is not a different appliance.
It is a term used to describe how a MARPE expander is activated.

If you are considering palatal expansion, the most important step is not choosing between MARPE or MASPE—it’s working with an orthodontist who understands skeletal biology, airway considerations, and individualized treatment planning.

A well-designed MARPE plan, guided by expertise rather than buzzwords, leads to the most predictable and stable results.

MASPE is a powerful treatment that allows us to safely and predictably widen the upper jaw, create space for teeth, improve bite function, reduce airway resistance, and support long-term oral health—especially in teens and adults where traditional expansion is less effective.

When combined with personalized activation protocols and monitoring, MASPE can be both comfortable and highly successful. Dr. Danielle Godley is proud to offer MASPE as a treatment option at Godley Family Orthodontics, using a customized patient-centered approach. If you’ve been told you have a narrow upper jaw—or you’re curious whether you might benefit from MASPE—schedule a consultation to learn more and explore your personalized treatment options.