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!

Diane B.

Friendly and knowledgeable doctors and techs! Always answer my questions and explain what’s going on with my treatment. A joy to walk in and be greeted warmly by the desk staff too!

Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words about our doctors and team. We are glad your questions are always answered clearly.

Shaunda C.

Oh man! They are great! I had no baby sitter so I had to bring the 2 year old with me. She talked loud and ran around the whole office and worker joined in and played with while i received the services that I came for. I won’t bring here next time but if I had to I know it would not be a problem. The doctor that I saw was great! I couldn’t have asked for better service. Thank you

Tyson Q.

Simply the best! Great staff, very kid friendly I can’t say enough good things about the whole experience. Get off social media and call her right now! You will not regret it. Because...................... It’s like winning the lotto when you get to see Dr. Otto!

Lisa W.

The staff take their time with you and are so friendly. A very positive environment for an excellent service!

Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words about our staff and the environment here. We appreciate this review.

BL B.

Otto Orthodontics has been great since day one. The staff is courteous and professional. Dr. Roland has watched my daughter's permanent teeth come in and recommended treatments that have helped her teeth come in straighter. They never pushed for braces, taking a wait and see what happens as the teeth came in. Now that she has started braces, they are taking their time, letting her get used to them. It is very different than when I had braces in the 80s. I highly recommend Otto to anyone who needs orthodontics.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to share your five-star experience with us. We truly appreciate your kind words and support. Providing a welcoming and positive environment is always our highest priority.

Kayla G.

This is a fantastic place. Very knowledgeable, personal and friendly staff. They are so patient with my daughter holds the candy bar hostage, and refuses to cooperate. They just stay calm in the midst of the chaos.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Kayla! We're thrilled to hear you had a fantastic experience with our team. Your daughter's joy is our priority, and we appreciate your kind words about our staff's patience and professionalism.

Amy A.

We have had such a wonderful experience at Otto! Every appointment was on time and each treatment was explained so well. I highly recommend Otto!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your fantastic feedback, Amy! We're thrilled to hear that your experiences were punctual and informative. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you again soon!

Sarah H.

Otto goes above and beyond for their patients. From the initial consult to each visit- the staff is welcoming and information is readily available. They’re never too busy to take the time to answer questions. Appointment times are valued and you’re in and out quickly. Love the ability to text or talk on the phone with the staff. Thank you, Otto.

Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words about our staff and for noticing the information we share along the way. We appreciate you.

Rebekah W.

Amazing & professional customer service! I felt so at ease with each person I spoke to. Thanks for being so helpful and explaining things in detail.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Rebekah! We're thrilled to hear you had a positive experience with our team. Your comfort and understanding are our top priorities. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Brennan L.

Otto Orthodontics has been nothing but amazing! They have such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We recommend them to anyone!

Response from the owner:Thank you for such kind words and for the recommendations. A warm and welcoming atmosphere is exactly what we aim for.

Rachel S.

Great experience! Office staff was kind and helpful. The orthodontist explained everything in a way my daughter could understand.

Response from the owner:Rachel, thank you! Explaining things in a way that makes sense to everyone in the room is something we care a lot about, and it is great to hear our team was kind and helpful.

Marci M.

I barely convinced my son to go to his consultation and he fought potentially getting braces. I figured it was worth a shot. The staff at Otto immediately made the experience fun and carefree. By the end of the appointment he was excited about getting braces.

Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your feedback! Our team is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and professional environment, and it’s rewarding to know that our efforts resonate positively.

Jessica G.

Great experience! My daughter isn't quite ready for braces yet, and I really appreciated how honest and upfront they were about that. Everyone was so friendly, professional, and made us feel welcome. I highly recommend them!

Response from the owner:Thank you, Jessica. Honest and upfront is how we want every conversation to go, and we appreciate the recommendation.

Lauren J.

We had our first appointment with Otto yesterday and it was honestly the quickest, most efficient appointment ever. They were so friendly and gave us all the information we needed! Highly recommend!

Response from the owner:Lauren, thank you! Quick, efficient visits with a friendly team are what we work hard for, so it is great to hear that is how your first appointment went.

Jesse

Great experience all around. I visited many orthodontists and compared everything before making my decision, and Otto was easily the best choice: Great price for my treatment, best staff, best service. Can't say enough about them.

Response from the owner:Thank you for doing your homework and for choosing us. This kind of review means a great deal to our team.

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