Dr. Mei Ling Chen

Pediatric Orthodontist and estimate your costs Researcher, DDS, PhD with 18 Years of Experience

Pediatric braces cost optimizationInvisalign vs. traditional braces economicsCeramic and lingual braces pricing researchNational orthodontic cost trendsUninsured treatment accessibility

Received DDS from University of California, San Francisco in 2006, pursued PhD in Dental Economics at UCLA in 2010 focusing on orthodontic pricing disparities. Early career at a San Francisco public health clinic exposed me to high uninsured teen cases, leading to research on metal braces at $5,000 averages. In 2013, opened my own practice in Seattle, integrating Invisalign protocols that matched $3,000-$8,000 ranges while tracking outcomes data. Contributed to NerdWallet and Bankrate analyses from 2019, and joined bracescost.org in 2021 for deep dives into lingual and ceramic premiums. My drive intensified after treating my nephew's self-ligating case amid rising costs. Weekends find me hiking the Cascades, paralleling the step-by-step progression of orthodontic journeys. Managed 5,000+ patients, publishing on AAO stats like 17% adult uptake.

DDS
PhD Dental Economics
AAO Member

🧮

Your Next Step

Calculate Your Costs →

Free Braces cost calculator. Get instant estimates based on your specific needs, location, and preferences.