Dr. Kirsten Karkow

otto-matic confidence in every smile

Dr. Kirsten Karkow

Orthodontist

I love orthodontics. It’s a science and an art, and I’m proud to be in this field. Designing and creating gorgeous smiles is an artistic outlet for me, and I love working with all kinds of people to create their best smiles and watch their confidence grow. I also have specialized training in orthodontic care for patients with cleft lip and palate and special healthcare needs, and it’s some of the most meaningful work I do. It doesn’t matter how complex the case is. We can do this, together.

Education

Early Acceptance into Dental School
Doctor of Dental Surgery — University of Iowa
Master of Science & Certificate in Orthodontics — Marquette University
Serves on the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Team Under the Division of Plastic Surgery

Personal

I grew up in Manchester, Iowa, in a big family. My husband, Nick, and I now live in Webster Groves with our daughters, Ava and Knox, and love the community there. I love hanging out with family, exploring the STL food scene, being active, and practicing pretty much any type of art.

Experience Our

5-Star Care

Check out what patients have to say about their 5-star experience with our amazing team. We can’t wait to provide you and your family with the same quality of care!

Rachel D.

They are very detailed with explaining and super easy to get ahold of between calling and texts!

Dee J.

The staff was very nice and professional. I was able to ask many questions and didn't feel like I was being rushed.

Samantha F.

We love, Otto Orthodontics and Ashley Cole is the best! She has really helped our daughter with her ortho fear! We look forward to seeing her each visit!

Barry P.

Dr. Larkin and his team are awesome. What a great experience. I did not know what to expect. The team was very professional and so helpful.

Lauren M.

The staff were amazing and really made my daughter feel at ease! They were very informative and helped guide which path we need to take in regards to braces! Definitely would recommend!

Kristen V.

We love Otto Orthodontics! The staff is so friendly and welcoming and we appreciate the incentives for the kiddos.

Holly P.

The staff and doctors are very friendly. They have made the process of getting braces very easy. We look forward to working with them for the next few years on our child's new smile!

Luwanika M.

Very comfortable environment with super friendly staff. Clear explanation of procedures and what to expect. Highly recommend!

Hannah T.

I will always recommend Dr. Otto’s office. I had a very challenging ortho case most orthodontists did not want to do and she took a chance on me and gave me my dream smile.

Darryl F.

I want to take a moment to give a special shoutout to Dr. Kirsten Karkow and the entire team at Otto Orthodontics! If your teeth aren’t completely straight and you’re considering an orthodontist, I highly recommend Dr. Karkow and her team. From the very beginning, the atmosphere has been fun, welcoming, and caring. Every visit, I felt genuinely appreciated and treated like royalty. Even after my braces were removed, Dr. Karkow took the extra time to make sure my teeth were filed evenly and that everything looked just right. That level of care and attention to detail truly meant a lot to me. I can honestly say I enjoyed wearing braces, which is something I never thought I would say! The hospitality, kindness, and professionalism shown at every visit made the entire experience so much better. I will truly miss you guys! ❤️ Thank you, Dr. Karkow and the entire Otto Orthodontics team, for taking such great care of me. Keep up the amazing work!

Josh W.

Otto is top notch. Brooke installed my brackets for my Invisalign today and did an incredible job. I typically hate sitting still for too long but she did a great job walking me through everything and finished before I knew it. Dr. Otto also rocks. Knows her stuff but most importantly she explains it well. All around great experience from every team member!

Mindy S.

They explained everything in detail so my child knew exactly what to expect. Very patient with us. Gentle with her and after a long time coming…her teeth look great!

Michelle

I had a good experience, the staff was very friendly and the consult was pretty informative. The place was clean and inviting.

Tiffany K.

Everyone at Otto Orthodontics is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and professional. They took the time to explain everything thoroughly, making us feel comfortable and informed throughout the entire process. My kids actually look forward to going to their appointments, which says a lot! We highly recommend Otto Orthodontics to anyone looking for exceptional orthodontic care.

David F.

Everyone is so nice and they are very efficient. Love Dr. Otto, she's terrific. I am so pleased with the progress they are making with the corrections to my teeth.

Monday	8:30am – 5:00pm
Tuesday	8:30am – 5:00pm
Wednesday	8:30am – 5:00pm
Thursday	8:30am – 5:00pm
Friday	7:30am – 4:00pm