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An adequate maxillary transverse dimension is a critical component of a stable occlusion. Various methods, including rapid palatal expansion (RPE), can be used to achieve dental and orthopedic maxillary expansion in growing patients.1 Unfortunately, however, the use of RPE after the peak pubertal growth spurt will produce more dental than skeletal expansion--about 62% vs. 38% of the total expansion2--resulting in buccal tipping of the molars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]