Non-Opioid EXPAREL Procedure

Your local Knoxville, TN dentists, Dr. Stephen K. Malone and Dr. Michael J. Costa, Jr. offer EXPAREL® (bupivacaine), a safe and effective local anesthetic that blocks nerve impulses at the site of an injection for three days.

“If you are concerned that extensive dentistry could be painful and are reluctant to start treatment that will dramatically improve your quality of life and/or put you on the path of having the beautiful, confident smile you desire, please be assured that we will do our utmost to make you comfortable, and fully inform you about what to expect and your pain control options, at every step of the way,” says Dr. Stephen K. Malone. “In our care, patients remark about how easy their dentistry has been. And now, we are very excited to be among the first dentists in Knoxville to use EXPAREL®!”

“EXPAREL® is just one of the ways we provide our patients with the safest, most comfortable experience,” says Dr. Michael J. Costa, Jr. “With EXPAREL®, we’re eliminating the need to prescribe opioid analgesics for the first three days after oral surgery in our office, for example, after wisdom tooth removal, other dental extractions, implant placement, or other implant related procedures.”

Patients appreciate the ease with which pain is continuously controlled during this period of most significant gum tissue inflammation. After three days, an over-the-counter pain killer is usually all that is needed to manage any discomfort.

“Our ability to administer EXPAREL® while you are in the dental chair and eliminate the need for any opioids to manage pain makes us different than most dental practices,” says Dr. Malone. “It’s a healthier option.”

Dr. Micheal Costa

Dr. Costa

Dr. Stephen Malone

Dr. Malone


Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry offers a unique dental care experience to our patients in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas. The crew is committed to protecting and increasing the natural beauty of your smile by employing conservative, cutting-edge techniques that result in attractive, long-lasting smiles!

Our dedicated and experienced team of doctors includes Dr. Stephen Malone, D.M.D., University of Louisville, and Dr. Michael Costa, D.D.S., UNC School of Dentistry, M.H.A., UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in Chapel Hill, NC. They are firm believers in continuing education to provide their patients with the finest possible care.

Drs. Costa and Malone see their patients as real partners in their service. Our team is committed to making your dental care journey as pleasant as possible.

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