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!

Racquel F.

We had the best experience today at Otto Orthodontics! My son got his braces, and everything from start to finish was seamless. Dr. Otto is truly a professional...so knowledgeable, kind, and great with kids. Every single person on her team was amazing and made us feel so comfortable. We’re so grateful and highly recommend her to anyone looking for exceptional orthodontic care.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Racquel! We're thrilled to hear that your son's experience was seamless and that our team made you feel comfortable. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to seeing you again!

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!

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!

Chelsea H.

My braces were applied back in August and I had my first adjustment visit a few days ago. I’m so happy that I was referred to this orthodontic practice. My experiences from my initial consultation to the recent appointment have been absolutely superb. Everything was explained to me and any questions or concerns that I have had were answered. All of the ladies from the phone line to office staff are amazing! They return calls within a reasonable time, also a messaging line is available that you can text instead of a phone call. As someone who has had horrible experiences with dental offices as an adult, walking into this office I know that my teeth are in good hands. The excellent staff helps take some of the anxiety out of the visits and any concerns or issues that have arisen since the application of the braces. The financing process was easy with a reasonable payment plan over the course of 18months. There is a portal that you can make extra payments or simply keep track of your account. I recommend Otto Orthodontics to anyone considering braces for themselves or their kids. If google had more than 5 stars I’d give them all available stars. I’m looking forward to the smile that I’ll have at the end.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Chelsea! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experiences with our team. Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities. We look forward to seeing your beautiful smile!

Kristen

We love Dr Otto and her entire staff. Everyone is friendly- appointments run on time and they do a wonderful job helping my young daughter feel comfortable with her braces. She has a unique case and in the last year we have already seen amazing results-her teeth look great!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Kristen! We're thrilled to hear that you and your daughter have had such a positive experience with our team. We look forward to continuing to support her orthodontic journey!

Shelly S.

Great experience at Otto Orthodontics!! Dr Otto is so friendly, efficient, and great with kids. The staff was super helpful and personable…they make you feel so comfortable! High recommend Otto Orthodontics!!

Response from the owner:Thank you, Shelly! We appreciate your kind words about Dr. Otto and our team's dedication to providing a welcoming environment. Your recommendation means so much to us. Looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Lauren W.

We love Otto Orthodontics! All of the staff is so nice and knowledgeable. They stay on top of appointments and are always so helpful!

Response from the owner:Thank you, Lauren! We appreciate your kind words about our team. It's wonderful to hear that you find our staff knowledgeable and helpful. We look forward to continuing to serve you!

Lauren K.

Very thorough in the explanation of each step of the service. They really made my 8yr old feel comfortable!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the positive feedback. We are honored to serve each and every one of our patients!

Arshley W.

First appointment went great!! I had a wonderful experience at this dental office. The staff was welcoming and supportive, making me feel comfortable throughout my first appointment.They took the time to guide me through the steps while answering all my questions and thoroughly explaining my dental issues. I truly appreciate their professionalism and kindness. Looking forward to my journey!!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that your first appointment was a positive experience. Our team looks forward to supporting you on your orthodontic journey. See you soon!

Tammy M.

This office is unbelievable. The staff and the doctor are great. My son loves coming to his appointment.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Tammy! We're thrilled to hear that your son enjoys his visits with us. Our team strives to create a welcoming atmosphere for every patient. We look forward to seeing you both again soon!

Dave B.

Dr. Otto is awesome! My daughter had a great experience here. Everyone was kind, patient, and made the whole process way less stressful than expected. Highly recommend

Response from the owner:Thank you, Dave! We're thrilled to hear your daughter had a positive experience at our office. Our team strives to create a welcoming environment, making visits enjoyable and stress-free for all our patients. Your recommendation means a lot!

Dominic B.

I had an excellent experience at Otto Orthodontics. As an adult starting orthodontic treatment, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the entire team made the process smooth and comfortable. Dr. Otto is professional, detail oriented, highly knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about the process and end result of your smile. I highly recommend to anyone considering treatment at any age. - Augustus B.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a smooth and comfortable experience with our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to seeing you again!

Megan F.

We have had an awesome experience here so far! The orthodontist was so informative and helped explain the plan so clearly for my son’s treatment. Everyone was awesome to work with!

Response from the owner:Thank you, Megan! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience. Our team is dedicated to providing clear communication and exceptional care. We look forward to continuing your son's treatment journey!

Becca D.

The are not just highly educated and the best orthodontics in saint louis but they have heart and are kind … would recommend them over and over again to everyone

Response from the owner:Thank you, Becca! Your kind words about our team's expertise and compassion mean a lot to us. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to provide excellent care.

Michelle W.

We had a fantastic experience at Otto Orthodontics today for my daughter’s initial consultation with Dr. Larkin. He recommended a palate expander as part of her treatment plan to address her overcrowding during phase 1, which I really appreciated.

What stood out most was the staff—they were incredibly kind, patient, and genuinely engaged with my daughter. They took the time to listen to her (even when she was being a little silly!) and made her feel completely comfortable instead of rushed.

The entire visit felt welcoming and thorough from start to finish. My only regret is not choosing Otto Orthodontics for my own treatment last year. Highly recommend!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Michelle! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Larkin and our team. Making our patients feel comfortable and engaged is our top priority. We appreciate your recommendation!

Dr. Kirsten Karkow

otto-matic confidence in every smile