Is There an Age Limit for MARPE?

If you’re an adult who has recently discovered that you have a narrow upper jaw, there’s a good chance you’re coming across this article because you’re curious if there’s a way to widen your jaw without jaw surgery. Maybe a dental professional told you that a surgical approach was the only option and you want to see if that’s really true. Or maybe you haven’t talked to anyone yet, but want to understand your options.

So now that you’re here, let’s get into what’s likely your biggest question: is there a MARPE age limit? The short answer: no. There isn’t an exact age cutoff. However, that doesn’t mean age, or more accurately your development, doesn’t play a role in whether MARPE will be effective. The reality is that the seam in the roof of your mouth, called the midpalatal suture, gets harder to split as you get older. Because of this, there are times when MARPE simply won’t work.

However, the good news is there’s a technique that can help out with splitting those more developed midpalatal sutures. This technique is called a piezo corticotomy, and in more difficult cases it can make it possible for MARPE to still be an effective option. Piezo works by using ultrasonic microvibrations to make precise microincisions along the seam.  

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Dr. Yoon has incorporated piezo as a preliminary step in his more difficult MARPE cases, and so far the seam has split in every case he’s treated with it.

Let’s get into it, but first, if you’re new to MARPE it could be worth starting with our guide on how MARPE works.

When Does the Midpalatal Suture Fuse?‍

If you’re wondering when does the midpalatal suture fuse, there really isn’t a set age. It’s more based around development and that’s unique to each individual, which is why age isn’t a good marker for when fusion will occur.

In a study published in the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 78 adults between the ages of 18 and 66 were evaluated, and while most had a seam that was at least partially fused, there were actually 12% who didn’t show any fusion on their 3D scans. And it was found that neither age nor sex was a reliable predictor for how far along the fusion of the seam was.

That’s all to say, there isn’t a single midpalatal suture fusion age that applies to everyone. If you’d like to learn more, we explain how the seam changes over time in our guide about palate expanders for adults.

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Does MARPE Work on Adults in Their 30s and 40s?

Yes, MARPE is able to work for many adults in their 30s and 40s, but it’s true that the odds can be lower than if you’re in your teens or early 20s. 

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In one study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, the seam split in 100% of patients aged 18 to 29, and 81% of patients aged 30 to 45.

It’s been found that a person’s sex can also make a difference. In a study of 215 MARPE patients, published in Clinical Oral Investigations, it was found that the midpalatal suture was able to be separated in about 93% of women older than 15, but only about 54% of men.

So, does MARPE work at any age? It certainly can, but there’s some nuance to the answer where your age and sex can play a part in the likelihood of the seam splitting without help. 

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MARPE Failure: What Happens If the Suture Won’t Split?

MARPE failure usually is attributed to one thing: the seam didn’t separate. You turn the expander, the pressure builds, but the suture never splits.

When this happens, the force ends up going into the miniscrews and teeth rather than the seam, and in order to avoid damage, the orthodontist stops the expansion. The usual next step is a referral to an oral surgeon for SARPE. To get a more in-depth look into MARPE vs SARPE, check out the section where we compare the two in our MARPE guide.

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What Is Piezo-Assisted MARPE?

Piezo-assisted MARPE, or piezo MARPE, is adult palate expansion where the orthodontist preps the suture before expansion using an ultrasonic piezo tip, making microincisions along the seam. That way the expander is splitting a seam that’s already been weakened. Similar to how perforated paper is easier to tear. This step is called piezo corticotomy.

Dr. Yoon performs the piezo corticotomy himself, in our office, using local anesthetic. After the piezo step, treatment follows the same path as standard MARPE.

To see how it works, check out this video of Dr. Yoon using the piezo tip and installing a MARPE device!

In addition to Dr. Yoon’s own results with piezo-assisted MARPE, the published research is just as encouraging. A 2026 study published in the Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research found that in a group of 108 individuals, averaging an age of 36, MARPE with a piezo corticotomy yielded a full separation of the seam in 70 individuals, and a partial separation in the remaining 38.

While it’s not a guarantee that piezo-assisted MARPE will be successful, and it’s quite possible that SARPE may still be the best option for some, the technology of piezo-assisted MARPE is helping many adults expand their upper jaw without the need for jaw surgery. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age is too late for a palate expander?

There isn’t a set palate expander age limit. While a traditional palate expander used for children usually won’t work for adults, MARPE offers an upper jaw expansion solution for adults. The success of the treatment is less about age and more about how your midpalatal suture has fused and developed. For a full breakdown of the differences between palatal expansion options, check out our guide on palate expanders for adults.

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What is the success rate of MARPE in adults?

A 2023 meta-analysis in BMC Oral Health put the average MARPE success rate at 93.87% across teens and adults, which we cover in more detail in our MARPE guide. Meanwhile, for adults aged 30 to 45, a study in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics found an 81% success rate. 

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Is piezo-assisted MARPE surgery?

A common question: is MARPE a surgery? The answer is that MARPE itself is not. The piezo step, on the other hand, is technically a minor surgical procedure since it involves making small incisions in the bone. However, it’s a long way from jaw surgery in terms of its complexity and invasiveness. There’s no hospital, no general anesthesia, and no oral surgeon. 

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Find Out If MARPE Can Work For You

While age can certainly play into the development of your midpalatal suture and affect your odds of MARPE being an effective way to expand your palate, it doesn’t give the whole picture. The best way to understand your odds is through an exam and a 3D scan. Dr. Sean Yoon is a board-certified orthodontist in Midtown East, Manhattan, who has specialized experience in piezo-assisted MARPE. He’ll walk you through what your scans are showing, and be honest if surgery is going to be the better route. Learn more about MARPE treatment at our practice, or book your consultation at Yoon Orthodontics today.

Sources

1. Angelieri F, Franchi L, Cevidanes LHS, Gonçalves JR, Nieri M, Wolford LM, McNamara JA Jr. Cone beam computed tomography evaluation of midpalatal suture maturation in adults. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2017;46(12):1557-1561. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28716474/
2. Naveda R, Dos Santos AM, Miranda F, da Cunha Bastos JC, Garib D. Immediate dentoskeletal and periodontal effects of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion: comparison between young vs middle-aged adults. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2023;164(3):416-422. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37041098/
3. Jeon JY, Choi SH, Chung CJ, Lee KJ. The success and effectiveness of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion are age- and sex-dependent. Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022;26(3):2993-3003. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8898235/
4. Koval S, et al. Factors influencing complete midpalatal suture separation in adult patients undergoing 3D-guided piezocorticotomy-assisted MARPE: a case-control study. Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research, 2026;16(5):101523. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13508663/
5. Zeng W, Yan S, Yi Y, Chen H, Sun T, Zhang Y, Zhang J. Long-term efficacy and stability of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion in mid to late adolescents and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health, 2023;23(1):829. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10623697/