What Is MASPE+? A Whole-Body Approach to Widening Your Jaw — and Your Airway

Straightening teeth and fixing the airway have never been the same thing — here's why that distinction matters.

At Westwood & Starwood Dental, we look at the mouth as part of a whole, connected body — not just a set of teeth to straighten. That's why we're excited to talk about MASPE+, an approach that treats a narrow jaw as a structural and breathing issue, not just a cosmetic one.

What Is MASPE+?

Standard expansion only opens up physical room in the mouth. MASPE+ goes further, combining structural widening with a multi-step healing and functional protocol so the whole system — teeth, jaw, tongue, and airway — adapts together.

The suture running down the middle of the maxilla stays open to expansion forces well into adulthood.

The protocol has four components working at the same time:

• Custom Palatal Expander — a specialized device built specifically to your palate anatomy.

• Concurrent Clear Aligners — worn alongside the expander to manage tooth movement and close gaps as the jaw widens.

• Myofunctional Therapy — exercises that retrain the tongue to rest and move properly in the newly created space.

• Laser Therapy — used to calm inflammation in tissue that's been chronically affected by mouth breathing.

MASPE+ uses small implants anchored to the palate to apply force directly to bone.

Why It Matters

A narrow upper jaw means a narrow nasal floor. That's not just a teeth problem — it often forces a person into chronic mouth breathing and poor tongue posture, both of which can restrict the airway during sleep.

A wider jaw means more than a straighter smile — it creates space for the tongue and the nasal airway above it.

Instead of just straightening the teeth you can see, MASPE+ is designed to address the underlying structural cause.

Signs This Might Be Worth Asking About

You don't need a diagnosis to bring this up at your next visit. Some patients — or parents of younger patients — first notice:

• Breathing through the mouth during the day or while sleeping

• Snoring, restless sleep, or waking up tired despite a full night's sleep

• A narrow or high-arched palate, or crowded teeth

• Chronic dry mouth, or tongue resting low and forward instead of up against the roof of the mouth

What to Expect

MASPE+ isn't a single appointment — it's a coordinated protocol, typically involving your dentist, a myofunctional therapist, and sometimes an ENT working together over several months. Because every palate and airway is different, timelines and candidacy vary from patient to patient.

MASPE+ - Custom made for you!

Is MASPE+ Right for You or Your Child?

Because this approach touches on airway and breathing, it starts with a proper evaluation — not every narrow jaw needs this level of intervention, and MASPE+ isn't a substitute for a medical diagnosis of a sleep or breathing disorder. If you're noticing any of the signs above, the best next step is a conversation with our team so we can assess your (or your child's) specific anatomy and needs.

Curious whether MASPE+ is a fit for your family? Book a consultation with Westwood & Starwood Dental and let's take a look together.