Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Palate Expansion. As previously discussed, many children and adults have crowded teeth. As humans have evolved, the reduction in the jaw Conflicts with the slower reduction of tooth size, Resulting in a mouth full of crowded teeth. The traditional way to solve this was using braces. (As a child, I was one of the many with these devices.) Today, another method is employed: a rapid palatal expander (RPE) This is partially possible because the body develops in two halves. The RPE is anchored to the upper back teeth. With a key and screw system, pressure widens the upper palate. It remains in place for three to six months. Interestingly, it can create a diastema between the upper incisors. (I have written about this phenomenon in a past poem.) This procedure offers many benefits, but some caution is needed. One benefit obtained is improved breathing By widening nasal passages The point here is that human evolution with A 200-million-year-old gentler diet of cooking, Has led to a reduction in tooth and jaw size, But only at different rates, Causing these present-day dental challenges! Frank Maurer 21 February 2026 1745 Hours.