John Karotkin, DDS, MS | Advance Orthodontics

John Karotkin, DDS, MS

John Karotkin is a native Houstonian who grew up in the Memorial area and attended Second Baptist School. He subsequently attended Duke University and then went on to receive his DDS degree from UT Dental Branch in San Antonio in 2006. He then attended orthodontic residency and earned his Master’s degree from the Department of Orthodontics at Temple University in Philadelphia.

After moving back to Houston, Dr. Karotkin began working with the orthodontic practice of Dr. Ronald Gallerano. In March of 2009, Dr. Karotkin assumed ownership of Advance Orthodontics.

Dr. Karotkin enjoys staying up to date on the latest developments in dentistry and orthodontics by maintaining a rigorous continuing education schedule. He is a member of the Houston Airway Study Club, as well as many other dental and orthodontic organizations. He has also been involved in teaching several continuing dental education courses, including Beyond Perio Ortho Limits, and publishing numerous papers and textbook chapters.

h-magDr. Karotkin has been recognized as one of Houston’s top dentists in H Texas Magazine. He considers himself lucky to have a career improving people’s smiles and overall health!

Dr. Karotkin’s CURRICULUM VITAE

Education

  • Duke University: BS Degree, Biology Major, Chemistry Minor (2002)
  • University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School: DDS Degree (2006)
  • Award for Excellence in Clinical Dentistry (2004-2005)
  • Texas Dental License (2006)
  • Temple University Department of Orthodontics: MS Degree in Oral Biology, Orthodontic Certificate (2008)

Research, Publications, and Lectures

  • Alfi, D., Karotkin J. Three-dimensionally printed patient-specific surgical plates in telegnathic surgery to treat obstructive sleep apnea. In Yousefian, J. (Ed.), Pediatric Treatment of Sleep Apnea: With Teledontics/Telegnathics (1st ed.). Chapter in Vol 2. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2025.
  • Gomes P., Karotkin J., Alfi D., Simmons J.H., Scheyer E.T. Digital workflow in interdisciplinary dentistry with an airway analysis: A case report with 2-year follow-up. J Prosthodont. 2025; 34: 80–89.
  • Scheyer, E.T., Ramos D., Karotkin. J., et al. Digital Smile Design and SFOT. In G.A. Mandelaris & B.S. Vence (eds.), Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy (SFOT): An Interdisciplinary Approach. Chapter 11. Springer, New York, 2022.
  • Collaboration for Complex Care. Lecture by Gatto, K, Meskill, G., Karotkin, J., and Lukin, L. International Association of Orofacial Myology Convention, Kansas City, 2021.
  • An Inter-Disciplinary Approach to Analyzing CBCT Scan Data from a Specialist Perspective. Lecture by Scheyer, E.T., Karotkin, J., and Garala, M. Star of the South GHDS Annual Meeting, Houston, 2021.
  • Beyond Ortho-Perio Limits. Lectures by Karotkin, J., et al. iHDS, Houston, annually 2020-2025.
  • Introduction to Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. Lecture by Karotkin, J. Understanding the Orofacial Complex (IAOM Pre-Certification Course). International Association of Orofacial Myology, Houston, 2020.
  • Airway: The Ortho-Perio Connection. Lecture by Karotkin, J., Scheyer, E.T. iHDS, Houston, 2020.
  • Karotkin, J. Feasibility of Root Movement with the Invisalign System, Part II: An In Vitro Study Series. Master’s Thesis: Temple University, Philadelphia, 2008.
  • Mobley, C., Rugh, J., Karotkin, J., Bhatt, A. Enhancing Patient Adherence to Preventive Programs. In D.P. Cappelli & C.C. Mobley (eds.), Prevention in Clinical Oral Healthcare. Chapter 11. Mosby, Inc., Philadelphia, 2007.
  • Various other lectures on the topics of airway and sleep disordered breathing, MARPE, and SFOT.

Continuing Education

  • Invisalign Certification Course (2005)
  • Tweed Study Course (2007)
  • Pankey Institute E1 Course (2010)
  • Dental Summit (2015)
  • The MKS Forum (2015)
  • Group Evolution (2018)
  • Spear Study Club (2017-present)
  • Houston Airway Study Club (2019-present)
  • Airway Prosthodontics (Spear seminar), Dr. Jeffrey Rouse (2019)
  • Healthy Start certification (2019)
  • Digital Smile Design, Residencies 1 & 2 (2019-2020)
  • Advanced Airway Orthodontics, Dr. Audrey Yoon (2020)
  • ALF Interface Academy, ALF Foundations (2020)
  • The Dentist’s New Role in Airway Management (2020)
  • Invisalign Teen Forum (2020)
  • Bockow Gunson Seminar: Healthy Growth, Healthy Faces (2021)
  • Sleep Education Consortium (annually, 2022-2025)
  • Zingerman’s ZingTrain, Creating a Vision of Greatness (2022)
  • Invisalign Pioneer Study Club (2024)

Orthodontic Expertise

  • MARPE (Mini-implant Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion)
  • SFOT (Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy)
  • Orthognathic/MMA surgery
  • Hybrid treatment (clear aligners together with braces and other fixed appliances)
  • TADs and bone plate anchorage
  • Early treatment (Phase I)
  • Skeletal growth modification
  • Oral myofunctional problems (tongue thrust, etc.)
  • Acceleration techniques: MOPs, OrthoPulse, AcceleDent, SFOT
  • Digital Smile Design certified
  • Extensive experience treating airway constriction & OSA / UARS
  • Extensive experience in complex interdisciplinary care for both children and adult patients
  • Extensive experience treating TMD and myofascial pain
  • Invisalign Diamond Plus provider

Career Experience

  • Associate Orthodontist, Ronald L. Gallerano, DDS, MSD, PC (2008-2009)
  • President & CEO, Advance Orthodontics of Houston, PA (2009-present)
  • President & CEO, SmileTex, LLC (2020-2023)
  • Founding Partner, Rocket Health Partners, LLC (2023-present)

Affiliations

  • American Association of Orthodontists & AAO Foundation Vanguard Society
  • American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, & Greater Houston Dental Society
  • Houston Airway Study Club
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