Dr. Karkow is originally from Racine and went to dental school at Marquette Dental School. She graduated in 1992 and went on to do a General Practice Residency in Madison, WI. There, Dr. Karkow worked under a TMJ surgeon. In her residency, Dr. Karkow observed TMJ surgery and managed trauma patients, among other duties. She attended the University of Minnesota TMJ and Orofacial Pain residency in Minneapolis from 1993-1995. There, she studied under world renowned TMJ specialists including Dr. Eric Schiffman and Dr. James Fricton. Dr. Karkow obtained her Masters in TMD and Orofacial Pain in 1995 before returning to Milwaukee to begin full time private practice. Dr. Karkow has limited her practice to TMD and Orofacial pain for the past 25 years.
In her free time, Dr. Karkow enjoys spending time with family and friends the most but also enjoys cooking, reading, travel, and sports. She recently completed the Disney Princess Half Marathon and hopes to do more in the future.
Many people do not know exactly what TMJ is. Thats understandable because a TMJ disorder includes the jaw joints, the muscles of the head and neck, the teeth, the nerves of the jaw/face/neck, the salivary glands and ears, among others which make up the components of the TMJ complex. Many people are referred to be evaluated even though they dont have traditional clicking and popping noises from their jaw.
The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are located in front of the ear and are used in talking, chewing, and swallowing. They are the only joint that is one bone but 2 different joints. That means, you can actually have 2 different conditions in the same jaw. The jaw joint moves through the actions of the muscles in both the jaw and neck. In order for your jaw to move correctly, both the muscles and the jaw joints need to work in harmony. When a problem occurs with one or both joints, it creates a TMJ disorder (TMD).
Just like in any joint of the body, there is a disc between the bones to cushion the joint. In cases of clicking, popping, locking, or crunching noises, the disc has become dislodged. Functioning on an injured joint can cause pain and difficulty moving the joint. We use orthopedic appliances to take pressure off the joint to help the TMJs heal.
No joint of the body moves without muscles. In some cases, a muscle in the jaw can spasm, causing localized jaw/facial pain. In other cases, a long-standing jaw injury and disc problem can lead to persistent muscle pain around the injured joint. We often utilize physical therapy in our treatment to help heal injured muscles.
In some cases, a team approach using physical therapists, Ear Nose Throat, Neurologists, Rheumatologists (Arthritis doctors), dentists and dental specialists work with Dr. Karkow to solve the individuals needs. However, Dr. Karkow feels the biggest team member in the plan is the patient!
Reviews
Rating 3.0 out of 5 based on 38 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestJennifer Gorres
a year ago
0/5 I'm in (figurative) shock. JUST DONT GO THERE
Jes L
a year ago
At my last visit I was treated like a child and reprimanded. Almost comical. Read the reviews. Would never go back. Very disappointing.
Mimi McCurdy
2 years ago
Dr Mary Karkow has done more for my chronic TMJD than several other dentists and providers who claimed to be experts in the field. She is skilled, kind, has integrity and uses proven tecniques to help her patients. I wholeheartedly recommend her. You will be glad you are her patient.
Mikko Epstein-O'Rourke
2 years ago
Terrible service & patient care. My girlfriend was just 10 minutes late to her appointment because of car troubles and after waiting for an appointment for 3 months for her messed-up jaw, they refused to see her or make another appointment. On top of that, the woman at the front desk scolded her. Nasty people and nasty service - stay far away from here & seek care elsewhere.
Ryne
2 years ago
I saw Dr. Karkow as a late teen and had a good experience. I had tmj and bite issues. When I finished my treatment as a teen, I was trying to get jaw surgery approved and she advised me at the end of my treatment she would "write a letter of documentation" to prove to the insurance company that my jaw issues and tmj were related. I never proceeded with the jaw surgery. In my mid 30s, I had a fall and hurt my jaw even more. My splint broke and didn't fit anymore. By this time, Dr. Karkow was no longer working in my home area and now about an hour drive away. Feeling that I was once a patient of hers, I wanted to revisit getting a new splint and see if she could provide a referral for my insurance to prove my tmj issue was still an issue and could use that in an appeal for my current insurance to approve jaw surgery. During my appointment, she was rude and unprofessional. Making me feel that it was unacceptable that I even ask for a referral about my condition. The way she talked to me made me feel like I was way out of line for even asking. I was asking for a new splint and a referral; which she had no interest in doing either. I would not recommend anyone to her practice.
Jennifer Holt
2 years ago
Everything was fine until I said my splint didn't fit correctly and even cracked in two places. She snapped on me. She filed the splint down and "stood behind the fit of the splint." She then scolded me for not wearing the splint more. Wanting any relief from the pain I tried the splint again and ended up with a chipped tooth that required a root canal and a crown. The amount of money I am out is one thing but the pain that she caused to get worse, along with addition issues with my teeth is another. It is unfortunate that a Dr feels the need to blame the patient for their improper care. Read the other reviews, I wish I had.
Tiffany Bakoda
2 years ago
Mary Karkow is a disrespectful bully! She tries to intimidate all her patients by scolding and criticizing them very angrily. I should have listened to the other bad reviews. She belittled me and berated me just like she did to the other reviewers! I agree with the other review that says she is a terrible person inside and out.
John Hansen
2 years ago
This doctor has a horrible attitude. The way she treats her patients is disgusting. She does not want to help you but she will sure try to scam you out of as much money as she can. Don't waste your time going here.
Sam Campbell
2 years ago
Terrible person inside and out
Aiste S
2 years ago
Dr. Karkow is outstanding and truly cares for her patients. She resolved my TMJ issue after several years of failed attempts seeing different specialists. Office staff is always friendly and helpful.
Patrice Bessler
2 years ago
Dr Karkow has a been a blessing for me to meet. I was referred years ago but finally got to the point of really needing help. I have honestly never met anyone who takes as much time as she does to get to understand a patient, and she makes sure her patient understands their individual situation. She is extremely nice and a pleasure to see. I would recommend her to anyone.
Lou S
2 years ago
Thorough, knowledgeable, truly cares about providing relief from pain. Dr Karkow is a class act and I recommend her without hesitation.
Elizabeth Hill
3 years ago
I called to schedule an initial appointment for my TMJ issues, which had been acting up recently. The receptionist asked if I had been treated for TMJ before, and I told her that I had in the past. Then she said in an extremely snobby, disrespectful tone, 'We don't accept patients who have seen another doctor for this in the past.' That disrespectful receptionist should have been fired!
Fabio Bonacquisto
3 years ago
Mary Karkow and her team are the most compassionate people I have ever worked with. They GENUINELY want to HELP PEOPLE! From the first day I stepped foot into their office I knew my TMJ pain would be solved here. HELPING PEOPLE is their MAIN FOCUS, especially during this crazy year of 2020. They give clear instructions on how to over come TMJ all while caring about you as a human being and what ever life obstacles you have going on. The office is filled with smiles, bright spirits, and the over all sensation of community. They are a family. Very thankful to have this team taking care of my pain.
Shelley Elmblad
3 years ago
Dr. Karkow has been nothing but professional and extremely knowledgeable with a warm personality. My daughter and I have been under her care for years, and Dr. Karkow treated our pain very effectively. She referred me to the first neurologist who could treat my migraines as well. I have my life back largely because of Dr. Karkow's care. I don't know what to make of some of the other reviews.
Patrice Bessler
3 years ago
Dr Karkow has a been a blessing for me to meet. I was referred years ago but finally got to the point of really needing help. I have honestly never met anyone who takes as much time as she does to get to understand a patient, and she makes sure her patient understands their individual situation. She is extremely nice and a pleasure to see. I would recommend her to anyone.
Aiste S
3 years ago
Dr. Karkow is outstanding and truly cares for her patients. She resolved my TMJ issue after several years of failed attempts seeing different specialists. Office staff is always friendly and helpful.
Sam Campbell
3 years ago
Terrible person inside and out
Monica Heminger
3 years ago
I am very sad to say after a year of appointments and over $1,000, out of pocket, my daughter still suffers from tmj pain and it has gotten worse under the care of Mary Karkow. I wish i would have read the other reviews before we went to see her. A year of unnecessary pain, and increased pain. Stay away. She is incompetent and makes excuses and blames the client if the mouthguard doesnt help the pain.
Elizabeth Spalsbury
3 years ago
I have seen her twice now and she is so far the ONLY doctor that has taken my pain seriously. My TMJ pain came on suddenly and I now have a consult with a Rheumatologist all thanks to Dr Karkow!! Thank you! Thank you!!
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