Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry is dedicated to improving oral health, comfort, function and beauty, in collaboration with you, our patient. We respect each patient as a unique individual. We take pride in listening well to our patients, understanding their circumstances and preferences, fully communicating with them, and partnering with them for their care. You will find we are kind, compassionate and gentle.

Dr. Stephen Malone received his Doctorate of Dental Medicine Degree from the University of Louisville in 1994 and has practiced dentistry in Knoxville for over 20 years. He believes in the value of continuing dental education and has pursued hands-on and mentored advanced dental education every year since earning his doctorate. He participates in multiple dental study clubs and professional organizations, where he has taken a leadership role.

Among the continuing education programs he has attended, The Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education is noteworthy. He was the youngest dentist to earn the status of Pankey Scholar at this world-renowned post-doctoral educational institution, and he is a member of its visiting faculty, a lead faculty member, as well as an Essentials Coordinator.

Dr. Malones intense study in specialty treatment areas and general dentistry enables him to provide you with high quality, comprehensive dentistry in a way that puts you, the patient, at the center. Not only does he care for you and about you, but he also intentionally takes time to understand your concerns and goals, and to collaborate with you in developing a plan for your mouth that will provide optimal oral health, comfort, function, and esthetic beauty for the many years to come.

General dentistry is often and incorrectly believed to be just about teeth. Rather, it involves studying, diagnosing, treating and preventing problems with teeth, gums, mouth, jaws and adjacent parts of the body. In his work in our Knoxville office, Dr. Malone is supported in this work by an exceptional team of professionals.

Dr. Malone and his wife, Lisa, have two sons, Davis and Grant and a dog named Luke. Dr. Malones hobbies include photography, boating and spending time with family. He enjoys speaking before and mentoring other dentists, as an encourager of patient-centered and comprehensive oral health care that takes into account the patients whole health and entire oral health circumstances.

Michael J. Costa, Jr., D.D.S., M.H.A., is originally from New Jersey and has enjoyed moving progressively further south over the last 15 years. He attended the George Washington University in Washington, DC, where he received his Bachelors in Public Health. Simultaneously he worked as a volunteer paramedic in southern Maryland. Dr. Costa continued his higher education at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in Chapel Hill, NC, where he received his Masters in Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.) degree. After graduate school, he stayed in Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) to study dentistry at the UNC School of Dentistry. where he received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree in 2014.

After dental school, Dr. Costa decided to further expand his dental skills by completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Camp Lejeune, NC where he also served as an active duty Naval Dental Officer and provided dental services to thousands of Marines and Sailors.

During and after military service, Dr. Costa worked as the lead dentist in a large group practice in Wilmington, NC. As the sole provider in a large satellite practice, he offered a wide scope of dental procedures to a diverse population with a heavy emphasis on oral surgery and replacing missing teeth with dental implants, bone grafting procedures, and implant supported dentures. Dr. Costa prides himself on making patients feel very comfortable and at ease during surgical procedures. You will be treated as a special individual, deserving of the best experience. With knowledge and skill, he will take appropriate measures to relieve anxiety and ensure your treatment is pain free.

Dr. Costa strongly believes in continuing education so that he can offer his patients the best possible treatment available. He recently completed the Augusta University Comprehensive Training in Implant Dentistry Course, and hes currently working on becoming an Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

Dr. Costa is a member of multiple dental societies including the American Dental Association, Academy of Oral Implantology, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Tennessee Dental Association and 2nd District Dental Society.

From the moment you walk in the door we want your experience to be absolutely excellent. You will find our waiting area furnished comfortably with a large screen television playing information about our team, but should you need anything at all during your visit, please don't hesitate to ask.

Each of our exam rooms is equipped with the best technology with you, the patient, in mind. Blankets, headphones, sunglasses for eye protection, and music playing overhead are just a few of the comforts we hope you will enjoy. We have even placed TV screens above each chair so you can relax and watch your favorite show during your visit. This screen also doubles as a monitor for your doctor or hygienist to show you what is going on in your mouth with the intraoral cameras!