Ivan Arsić

MARPE (Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) – what do we know today
Ivan Arsić

Proper growth of the maxilla, both in the sagittal and transverse directions, is one of the most important conditions for the formation of a proper, functionally healthy and stable occlusion. There are numerous factors that can adversely affect the proper growth of the maxilla and maxillary dental arch. When it comes to the etiology of maxillary deficiency in the transverse direction, heredity, congenital anomalies, orofacial dysfunctions and the practice of bad oral habits have a very important role. Narrow maxilla can be the cause of forced lateral movements of the lower jaw and various forms of crossbite. Therefore, establishing the correct transverse relationship between the upper and lower jaw is a particular challenge in orthodontic therapy.
In this lecture, various orthodontic therapeutic options for the expansion of the upper dental arch and upper jaw will be presented. In addition to therapeutic procedures that are applied in the stage of late deciduous and mixed dentition with myofunctional and mobile appliances, methods of expansion with fixed orthodontic appliances will also be shown.
The expansion of the upper jaw based on skeletal anchorage, with the use of orthodontic mini implants in clinical situations when patients are in the descending phase of pubertal growth, as well as when the growth is completed, is a current topic and subject of scientific research in orthodontics. In addition to the description of these procedures, clinical cases of patients in whom expansion of the upper jaw has been performed, with a review of the advantages and disadvantages of different therapeutic methods will be presented. Contemporary evidence based facts regarding optimal age, suture maturation and expansion protocols in treatment with MARPE will also be shown.

Ass. Dr. Ivan Arsic is a teaching assistant at the Clinic for Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Belgrade. He is an orthodontics specialist from 2014. and has a PhD degree from 2022. He works with dental students in practical training and as a mentor in residency program. He attended many courses for using mini implants in orthodontics, for practicing both straight wire and standard edgewise technique, and for using aligners in orthodontic treatment. He was an invited speaker in many congresses and meetings, co-authored two textbooks, presented many researches in domestic and foreign congresses and published 5 papers in international journals.