MARPE as an adjunct to orthodontic treatment

INTRODUCTION: Miniscrew or microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) devices are used to achieve a skeletal expansion of the palate and to increase the arch perimeter. OBJECTIVE: To describe the treatment of a 23-year-old woman with an Angle Class II, division 1 malocclusion with constricted maxillary and mandibular arches. CASE REPORT: The patient’s main complaint was mandibular anterior crowding. The treatment plan included expansion of the mandibular arch concurrent with maxillary expansion, using a MARPE appliance in combination with a full-fixed appliance to align and level the crowded mandibular teeth, along with miniscrews as anchorage for the maxillary teeth and for distalization of the molars and premolars. A successful non-extraction orthodontic treatment was accomplished after 28 months, and the occlusion and teeth alignment, as well as facial goals, were resolved in a clinically satisfactory manner. CONCLUSION: The treatment objectives were met, and the outcome of the expansion of the maxillary arch with a MARPE appliance as an adjunct to a fixed appliance was considered a success. An esthetic, functional, and stable result after a 1-year follow-up was achieved and was satisfactory to the patient.