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. 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!

Jonathan H.

Very friendly staff that’s always helpful and SMILING!!!! Great welcoming environment!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our friendly atmosphere and helpful staff. We look forward to welcoming you back to Otto Orthodontics soon!

Rachel B.

Very friendly and informative about procedures and upfront pricing. Ease and availability of scheduling appointments.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Rachel, for your kind words! We're delighted to hear you found our team friendly and informative. We strive to make scheduling easy and transparent for all our patients. Looking forward to seeing you again!

Ashley K.

This office is so nice and clean. Nicole was very sweet and patient with my daughter! I highly recommend this office!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Ashley! We're thrilled to hear you had a positive experience with Nicole. Our team is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment for all our patients. We appreciate your recommendation!

Gretchen S.

We had a great experience with the consultation today and excited to be apart of this office for Madi's braces. The staff is so friendly and knowledgeable.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Gretchen! We're thrilled to hear about your positive consultation experience. Our team looks forward to supporting Madi on her journey to a beautiful smile!

Lagunas M.

They are great orthodontics . Nichole is the greatest . All staff is super friendly . Very clean office . Homey feeling wnvironment

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with Nichole and our team. Your kind words about our office environment mean a lot to us.

Christina G.

My daughters and step daughters go to Otto ortho for their ortho work! Such a pleaser to go into the office, my kids love it!! AJ helped me and was amazing regarding our account! I also work in a dental office and we ONLY refer to Otto orthodontics! Truly a one in a million experience!!! Everyone is always so nice and welcoming!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that your daughters enjoy their visits and that AJ provided exceptional service. We appreciate your referrals and look forward to continuing to serve your family!

Kaitlin T.

such a nice office! very modern boutique-style setup which made me feel super comfortable before my appointment. They also have really cute branding with their accent color being hot pink which I thought was so unique and fun. I came here to get Hawley retainers (my post-invisalign retainers are plastic and not working well for me) so I assumed I was going to have to do traditional mold impressions again 😣 but I ended up not having to! This office has an amazing scanner to digitally take impressions, so no gross putty or uncomfortable trays shoved in your mouth! 😭 🙌 it was such a pleasant surprise and made the appointment way less stressful. all of the staff I interacted with were friendly and helpful :) I’d definitely recommend Otto if you’re looking for an orthodontist! 🩷

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled you enjoyed our modern office and the digital impression process. Our team is dedicated to making your experience comfortable and enjoyable. We appreciate your recommendation!

Jordan P.

We went to Otto ortho for a second opinion. My daughter(12yrs) was so impressed by the staff and I couldn’t be happier that they matched the other quote that we will be seeing them for the next 2+ years!

Kym M.

Kind and friendly staff. I so appreciated not being the only adult getting treatment here!!

Response from the owner:Thank you, Kym! We're delighted to hear you had a positive experience with our team. We strive to create a welcoming environment for all our patients. Looking forward to seeing you again!

Jamie H.

Dr Otto has been phenomenal throughout our journey. Very honest, educated and aligned with our goals. Highly recommend.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Jamie! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Otto has made such a positive impact on your journey. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing to support your goals.

Kristal T.

We just started the process of getting my grandson’s braces on but so far we are impressed with the timely appointments and friendly staff.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you're pleased with our staff and appointment scheduling. We look forward to continuing to support your grandson's orthodontic journey.

Alaina P.

From the moment I entered the office everybody was awesome. Friendly informative staff, made me feel welcomed and happy that I chose them for my orthodontic needs.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Alaina! We're thrilled to hear that our team made you feel welcomed and informed. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we look forward to supporting your orthodontic journey!

Lisa H.

I am currently undergoing invisalign treatment with Otto orthodontics. I had a question/concern recently, they got me in and addressed it promptly. All was good! They put my mind at ease.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Lisa! We're glad to hear that your concerns were addressed promptly and that you're feeling at ease during your Invisalign treatment. We appreciate your trust in us!

Amanda D.

The staff was super friendly and personable. They took time to explain everything to myself and my son. Upfront pricing with no hidden costs, love it!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Amanda! We're thrilled to hear that you and your son had a positive experience with our team. Our goal is to provide clear communication and friendly service. We appreciate your support and hope to see you both again!

Jenny C.

Otto has been amazing and its only our second time in. We started our journey with them and can't wait to see the results! The staff are all amazing and very helpful!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Jenny! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our team. We look forward to supporting you on your orthodontic journey!

Dr. Kirsten Karkow

otto-matic confidence in every smile