Dental Hygiene

Registered Dental Hygienist On Team
Personalized Care For Every Patient
Same-Day Appointments Available

Dental Hygiene Services In Knoxville, TN

Protecting Your Teeth, Your Gums, and Your 
Overall Health, With Preventive Care


Healthy Mouth Cleaning

A Healthy Mouth Cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, is a routine dental procedure aimed at preventing gum disease, cavities, and other oral health issues. This service is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and a beautiful smile.


  Removes plaque and tartar buildup
✓  Prevents gum disease
  Enhances overall oral health

✓  Promotes fresh breath
✓  Helps detect early signs of oral issues


Procedure
Our experienced dental hygienists use specialized instruments to 
clean your teeth thoroughly. The procedure includes:
1. Plaque and Tartar Removal: Removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and below the gumline.

2. Teeth Polishing: Polishing your teeth to remove surface stains and make your smile shine.


3. Professional Fluoride Treatment: Strengthening your teeth with a professional fluoride application to protect against decay and sensitivity.

4. Oral Hygiene Instructions: Providing personalized tips and recommendations to maintain your oral health at home.


5.  X-rays (if needed): Taking X-rays to monitor bone health and detect any hidden issues.


6.  Our Gift To You:  Blue Light Assisted Oral Cancer Screening Included At Every Dental Hygiene Visit

Recommendation
We recommend scheduling a Healthy Mouth Cleaning every three to six months to maintain optimal oral health. 

Periodontal Maintenance Visit

At TLC Dental Care in Knoxville, we are committed to helping you maintain optimal oral health, especially if you have a history of Periodontal Disease, often referred to as gum disease. Our Periodontal Maintenance visit is designed to provide comprehensive care and prevent the recurrence of periodontal issues.


What is a Periodontal Maintenance Visit?

A Periodontal Maintenance Visit, also known as a 3-month dental hygiene appointment, is a specialized cleaning procedure for patients who have previously been treated for gum disease. This visit focuses on maintaining gum health and preventing the progression of periodontal disease.
Why is Periodontal Maintenance Important?
Regular Periodontal Maintenance is very important for patients with 
a history of gum disease because it:

✓  Controls Disease Progression: Keeps gum disease from advancing by regularly removing bacteria and plaque.
✓  Reduces Inflammation: Minimizes gum inflammation and bleeding.
✓  Preserves Oral Health: Maintains the health of your gums and bone structure, preventing tooth loss.
✓  Promotes Overall Health: Reduces the risk of systemic health issues linked to periodontal disease.

What to Expect During Your Visit
During your Periodontal Maintenance visit, our skilled dental hygienists 
will perform a thorough cleaning and examination, including:
1. Comprehensive Cleaning:
Scaling: Removal of plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline.

Teeth Polishing: Polishing your teeth to remove surface stains and make your smile shine.

Professional Fluoride Treatment: Application of fluoride to strengthen teeth and protect against decay.

2. Assessment and Monitoring:
Gum Health Evaluation:
 Measuring periodontal pockets and assessing gum health to detect any signs of disease recurrence.

X-rays (if needed): Taking X-rays to monitor bone health and detect any hidden issues.

Oral Hygiene Instructions: Providing personalized tips and recommendations to maintain your oral health at home.


3. Antimicrobial Treatment:

Antimicrobial Agents: Applying antimicrobial agents to reduce bacterial growth and protect your gums.

Recommendation:
For patients with a history of gum disease, we recommend scheduling a Periodontal Maintenance visit every three months. This regular interval helps to effectively manage and prevent the progression of periodontal disease.

Stay proactive about your oral health. Schedule your next Periodontal Maintenance visit with 
TLC Dental Care in Knoxville today! Our dedicated team is here to support you in maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile.


Gum Infection Therapy - Scaling and Root Planing


Gum infections can lead to serious oral health issues if left untreated.  At TLC Dental Care in Knoxville, we offer Gum Infection Therapy, including Scaling and Root Planing, as a way to treat
gum disease conservatively.

What is Gum Infection Therapy - Scaling and Root Planing?

Gum Infection Therapy or Scaling and Root Planing is a non-surgical procedure that treats gum disease by removing plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smoothing the tooth roots.  After Gum Infection Therapy we will have you use and antibacterial medication in custom trays to 
kill any bacteria beneath the gums, and freshen your breath.


Benefits of Gum Infection Therapy
Eliminates bacteria and infection
Reduces gum inflammation and bleeding
Promotes reattachment of gums to teeth
Prevents tooth loss
Improves overall oral health
✓ Freshens breath
Procedure
The procedure is performed in a few steps:
1. Scaling: Removing plaque and tartar deposits from the tooth surfaces and periodontal pockets.

2. Root Planing: Smoothing the root surfaces to prevent bacteria buildup and promote gum healing.


3. Professional Fluoride Treatment: Applying fluoride to strengthen teeth and protect against decay and sensitivity.

4.  Have custom Perio Protect® trays made for home use to kill bacteria every day.

Recommendation:
If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, such as bad breath, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, contact us immediately. Early intervention is key to successful treatment.


PerioProtect®️

At TLC Dental Care in Knoxville, we offer innovative treatments to keep your gums healthy. PerioProtect®️ is a non-invasive therapy that targets periodontal disease using custom-fit trays.

What is PerioProtect®️?

PerioProtect®️ is a comprehensive treatment for gum disease that involves using special trays that are custom made for you.  They deliver medication directly to the gum pockets, killing the bacteria that cause gum disease, bad breath, and infection.

Benefits of PerioProtect®️
Complements other periodontal treatments
Minimally invasive
Reduces gum inflammation and bleeding
Promotes healing and gum health
Easy and convenient to use at home
Complements other periodontal treatments
Procedure
The procedure is performed in three steps:
1. Custom Trays: We create custom trays to fit your mouth.


2. Medication Application: The trays are filled with a prescription antimicrobial medication.


3. Usage: You wear the trays for a prescribed duration daily, allowing the medication to penetrate deep into the gum pockets and kill the bacteria that is causing the gum disease and bad breath.

Recommendation:
PerioProtect®️ is an excellent adjunct to cleanings, professional periodontal treatments, and dental implant treatment.  It also eliminates bad breath!

Contact us to learn more about how Perio Protect® can benefit your dental health.


Laser Periodontal Therapy

Experience advanced gum disease treatment at TLC Dental Care in Knoxville with our Laser Periodontal Therapy. This cutting-edge technology offers a precise and effective solution for managing periodontal disease.

What is Laser Periodontal Therapy? Laser Periodontal Therapy uses focused light energy to remove infected tissue and bacteria from the gums, promoting healing and regeneration.

Benefits of Laser Periodontal Therapy
Minimally invasive
Reduces pain and discomfort
Promotes faster healing
Precise targeting of infected areas
Reduces the need for traditional surgery
Procedure
1. Laser Application: A dental laser is used to target and remove diseased gum tissue.

2. Bacterial Elimination: The laser also kills bacteria and sterilizes the area.

3. Gum Reattachment: Promotes the reattachment of gums to the teeth and encourages new tissue growth.
Recommendation:
Laser Periodontal Therapy is ideal for patients seeking a less invasive alternative to traditional gum surgery. Contact us today to see if you are a candidate for this advanced treatment.


Here's what our satisfied patients are saying...

At TLC Dental Care, we take pride in providing exceptional dental work to our patients. We would be grateful if you would 
share your thoughts about your experience in our office. Your feedback helps us to improve and helps others make informed decisions. Please take a moment to leave a review for TLC Dental Care in Knoxville, and let others know what you think.
Thank you so much for choosing us, and for trusting us to provide your dental care.
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Ava Stark profile picture
Ava Stark
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As most, the dentist is not my favorite place to go...until now 😀. It's such a warm and welcoming atmosphere, I was anxious, but as soon as they started my exam, I felt relaxed and comfortable. Dr Cribbs let me know in a thorough, well communicated way exactly what I needed. Such a great experience. I've already scheduled my next appointments! Oh and their Front desk Barb is kind, efficient and cute as a button.
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Linda Leonard
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Amazing results from a difficult crown procedure! Dr. Cribbs saved a tooth that was in very bad shape! The procedure was pain free. Was made physically very comfortable and well informed throughout the procedure. Highly recommend this practice!
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Hannah McCrory profile picture
Hannah McCrory
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I was absolutely blown away by my experience at TLC! I have always had dental anxiety, but I felt at ease as soon as I walked in the door. Everyone was so kind, welcoming and very informative. My initial exam was extremely thorough and impressive. I highly recommend!
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Aaron Wild profile picture
Aaron Wild
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TLC is a wonderful dentist's office. When I first came in, I had a lot of work that needed to be done. Dr. Cribbs and her staff were very patient and kind throughout the entire process. Personally speaking, I'm not great when it comes to needles and have had bad experiences with dental injections in the past, but I can honestly say any injections I've had to have here have been easy and relatively pain free. If you're looking for a dentist in the Knoxville area, I highly recommend TLC Dental Care.
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Sam Reynolds profile picture
Sam Reynolds
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I’ve been a patient of Dr Cribbs for a long, long time and she’s awesome. I have a legendary gag reflex, and recently needed a crown. Normally, that procedure is really hard on me. Dr. Cribbs was able to use an awesome digital wand that mapped out my entire mouth. It was so easy! The resulting crown was flawless!
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Jacob Gray profile picture
Jacob Gray
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I just got a filling done due to a cavity, and I can’t say enough good things about this place. I’m normally terrified of needles, but they numbed me up with almost no pain and handled everything so professionally. They made me feel safe and comfortable throughout the whole process. Top-quality service, I’d highly recommend them!
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Justin Harvey
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Always a great experience! Feels like my mouth gets a massage. Thanks
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Joel Ash profile picture
Joel Ash
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TLC dental is the best! The hygienists are very friendly and thorough. Dr. Cribbs does amazing work and is very knowledgeable. I can’t recommend them enough!
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Tim Arner profile picture
Tim Arner
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I think TLC is top notch. Very nice facility and professional people. Dr. Cribbs is great!

Book An Appointment


We warmly welcome patients both with or without insurance. If you do not have dental insurance, be sure to ask us about our in office Dental Health Savings Plan.

For any portion of your care that may not be covered by insurance, we offer flexible and convenient payment options that fit most budgets. It is our goal to ensure you receive the high-quality dental care you deserve.

We do not participate with Medicaid or Medicare plans, however, we are happy to work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your needs and budget.

Your oral health is our priority, and we’re here to help every step of the way!

Call: (865) 247-5570
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