Carmella M. Knoernschild, DDS
Originally from Fayetteville, Dr. Carmella Montez Knoernschild earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arkansas in 1983, and her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Meharry Medical College of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1988. She earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Orthodontics in 1990 from Boston University, where she was inducted into the honorary dental society Omicron Kappa Upsilon.
One of the first female orthodontists in Arkansas, “Dr. K” practiced in Hot Springs from 1992 to 2008. In 1997, she received the Arkansas State Dental Association’s “New Dentist of the Year” award, later served as technical advisor for the AAO’s video, “A Smile That’s Good for Life,” and has appeared on KATV. “Dr. K” began her practice in Russellville in January of 2000, after establishing her association with retired orthodontist Dr. Hugh Silkensen.
“Dr. K” was certified as a Diplomate in the American Board of Orthodontics in February of 2003, which is designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and clinical expertise of the orthodontic specialist in order to provide quality patient care.
“Dr. K” is known for using the most advanced technology in tooth movement, as well as for treating difficult cases non-surgically. The technique she uses does not require headgear or the bulky Herbst appliance. In addition to traditional braces, she incorporates ceramic tooth-colored braces and offers 52 different colors of elastomers. “Dr. K” is a preferred provider of Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen™. “Dr. K’s” latest advancement in treatment for younger patients is myofunctional therapy, which incorporates the T4-K pre-orthodontic trainer. Early correction with this therapy often eliminates more severe orthodontic treatment in patients.
“Dr. K” emphasizes the AAO recommendation that every child should see an orthodontist by the age of 7 for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. As a reminder to the public and patients, all orthodontists are dentists, but only those dentists who have successfully completed an advanced specialty education program of two to four years beyond dental school may call themselves an orthodontist.
“Dr. K” is an active member of the following associations: Arkansas Association of Orthodontists where she served as president, the Southwestern Society of Orthodontists, American Association of Orthodontists where she was elected to the Council of Communications, University of Arkansas Alumni Association, and the Chamber of Commerce. She shows her enthusiasm for motivating young people by sponsoring various youth sporting events as well as participating as a motivational speaker as local fair pageants, as well as a number of other community events.
Dr. Knoernschild and her husband, Doug, along with their beautiful girls, Ciarra and Isabella, reside near Lamar and attend River Valley Grace Lutheran Church in Lamar, Arkansas.