Dr. Michèle Cardinal

Dr. Michèle Cardinal provides expert care for a wide range of dental and oral health conditions for patients of all ages, including but not limited to:

Preventative Oral Health Topics

• Concerns about Oral Hygiene Practices: Seeking advice on how to improve brushing, flossing, or overall oral hygiene techniques.
• Need for Routine Dental Check-up & Cleaning: Understanding the importance of routine examinations and professional cleanings for long-term dental wellness.
• Questions about Dental Products (Toothpaste, Mouthwash, etc.): Wanting to understand which dental products are best for their specific oral health needs or conditions.

Dental Pain Emergency

• Dental Abscess (Localized Infection): Managing acute dental infections to relieve pain, control the spread of infection, and address the source.
• Lost Filling or Crown: Addressing situations where a dental filling or crown has become dislodged or fallen out, requiring temporary or permanent replacement.
• Dental Trauma (e.g., Knocked-out or Dislodged Tooth - Emergency Care): Urgent assessment and treatment for injuries to teeth and supporting oral structures.

Gum Disease Initial

• Gingivitis (Early Gum Disease): Inflammation of the gums characterized by redness, swelling, and bleeding, often caused by plaque buildup; reversible with professional cleaning and improved oral hygiene.
• Mild to Moderate Periodontitis (Initial Management by GP): Addressing gum infections that have started to affect the supporting bone, with a focus on halting progression and maintaining teeth.

Common Dental Issues

• Bad Breath (Halitosis) - Dental Causes: Persistent unpleasant breath odor often linked to oral hygiene issues, gum disease, dry mouth, or other dental conditions.
• Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Teeth: Damage to tooth structure that needs assessment and restoration to prevent further problems.
• Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Managing dry mouth by identifying potential causes (medications, medical conditions) and recommending saliva substitutes or stimulants.

This list offers some examples of conditions commonly addressed. A comprehensive diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr Cardinal. If your specific oral health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs and appropriate treatment options.

• Understanding Your Dental Treatment Plan: Ensuring you fully understand your dental care plan and have all your questions answered before proceeding with any treatment, fostering informed consent.
• Dietary Counseling for Oral Health: Educating patients on the link between diet and oral health for long-term prevention.
• Custom Mouthguards (Sports & Night Guards for Bruxism): Personalized protective oral appliances, including athletic guards for impact protection and night guards to alleviate TMJ stress and prevent tooth wear.
• Dental Crowns (Caps): Full-coverage restorations crafted from materials like porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, or gold to encase and reinforce a compromised tooth for long-term durability.
• Dental Bridges (Fixed Partial Dentures): Fixed prosthetic solutions designed to effectively fill the gap left by missing teeth, thereby improving chewing ability, speech, and overall smile appearance.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr Cardinal. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any treatment depends on individual assessment. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific dental needs, please schedule a consultation.

All dental services by Dr. Michèle Cardinal adhere to scope of practice for Dentistes in QC and standards of The Ordre des dentistes du Québec (ODQ).

At CLINIQUE DENTAIRE BORDELEAU LACROIX, the focus is on partnering with you to achieve significant improvements in your oral health, address your specific dental concerns, and help you attain your desired smile. Dr Cardinal frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• The path to improved oral wellness, especially when facing needing a custom-fitted mouthguard for playing sports to properly protect their teeth and jaw from injury, involves working systematically towards their teeth feeling more stable and their bite more aligned after corrective treatment. Dr Cardinal expertly guides patients through this process so they can once again enjoy life's moments, including feeling that their dental health fully supports their active and engaged lifestyle.
• Dr Cardinal understands that dealing with experiencing significant fear or deep-seated anxiety about upcoming dental visits can be challenging. That's why their treatment plans are geared towards achieving feeling confident that their gum health is being actively maintained, preventing future problems, helping patients comfortably get back to resuming hobbies that require concentration, now free from dental pain and feeling their best.
• Patients frequently come to Dr Cardinal with concerns about wanting to explore options to replace a missing tooth with a permanent solution like a dental implant. By working together as a team, they typically aim for and achieve an impacted tooth being successfully managed or removed, preventing future pain, infection, or damage to other teeth, making a positive and lasting return to their child actively participating in preventative dental care and understanding its importance not just possible, but highly feasible.
• Many patients schedule a consultation with Dr Cardinal when they first notice a specific desire to ensure their gums remained healthy and stable as they got older, preventing future problems. Through personalized dental care, the goal is to achieve their child calmly receiving dental injections due to a patient and skilled approach, enabling them to once again enjoy their ability to enunciate words clearly for better communication without hesitation.

Your personalized dental treatment plan, developed in consultation with Dr Cardinal, will be carefully designed to help you reach your specific functional, aesthetic, and overall oral wellness objectives. Dr Cardinal is committed to empowering patients with the information and high-quality care needed to achieve and maintain a healthy, confident smile for life.

Dr Cardinal's practice, CLINIQUE DENTAIRE BORDELEAU LACROIX, is situated in a central location within the Mascouche neighborhood of Mascouche. The clinic is conveniently located near local shops and community amenities and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Street parking and nearby lots offer accessible options for your visit.

Is dental treatment generally covered by provincial health plans like Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?

In Quebec, provincial health plans like the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) typically do NOT cover most routine or major dental procedures performed in private dental clinics for the general population. Some specific, limited dental surgeries performed in a hospital setting might be covered by RAMQ. Most dental care costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients or through private dental insurance plans (often provided by employers), or government assistance programs for eligible groups (e.g., children from low-income families, seniors on specific benefits, social assistance recipients). It is crucial to verify any potential public coverage you might be eligible for and always check the details of your private dental insurance regarding coverage, co-payments, deductibles, and annual maximums before starting treatment at CLINIQUE DENTAIRE BORDELEAU LACROIX.

What services does a General Dentist (Dentiste) like Dr Cardinal typically provide?

A General Dentist like Dr. Cardinal is the primary dental care provider for patients of all ages, offering a wide range of services. These include preventative care (check-ups, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants), restorative treatments (fillings, crowns, bridges), basic endodontics (root canals on less complex teeth), simple extractions, initial management of gum disease, and may also include cosmetic procedures such as whitening or bonding. They also educate patients on oral hygiene and refer to specialists for more complex needs.

Are dental X-rays safe, and how often are they needed?

Dental X-rays are very safe, especially modern digital X-rays which use minimal radiation. Protective lead aprons are used to minimize exposure further. X-rays are taken only when diagnostically necessary (e.g., for new patients, to check for decay between teeth, assess bone health, or plan complex treatments). Dr. Cardinal will determine the frequency based on your individual oral health, risk factors, and dental history, adhering to guidelines like ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).

I experience jaw pain, clicking, and headaches. Can Dr Cardinal help with TMJ/TMD issues?

Dr Cardinal can perform an initial assessment of your jaw pain and related symptoms. Depending on the findings and complexity, they may offer some conservative management advice or provide a referral to a dentist or specialist with advanced training in TMJ disorders if more specialized care is indicated.

Do I need a referral to see a general dentist like Dr Cardinal?

Typically, a referral is not required to schedule an appointment with a general dentist. Patients are welcome to contact CLINIQUE DENTAIRE BORDELEAU LACROIX directly to arrange their visit with Dr Cardinal.

How often should I (or my child) visit Dr Cardinal for a check-up and cleaning?

For most patients, preventative check-ups and cleanings are generally recommended every 6 months. However, Dr. Cardinal will recommend a personalized schedule based on your individual oral health needs, risk factors for cavities or gum disease, and existing conditions. Some patients may need more frequent visits (e.g., every 3-4 months), while others might have slightly longer intervals. Following Dr. Cardinal's specific recommendation is crucial.

What should I expect during my first dental visit with Dr Cardinal at CLINIQUE DENTAIRE BORDELEAU LACROIX?

Your first visit will involve a comprehensive dental examination, including a review of your medical and dental history, a thorough check of your teeth, gums, jaw, and soft tissues (including an oral cancer screening), and any necessary X-rays. Dr. Cardinal will discuss their findings, address your concerns, and create a personalized treatment plan if needed. A professional cleaning will often be performed during this visit or a subsequent one.

What are dental implants, and how do I know if I'm a suitable candidate?

Dental implants are small, medical-grade titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. They provide a strong foundation for fixed (crowns, bridges) or removable replacement teeth (dentures). Good candidates generally have healthy gums and adequate jawbone density. Dr. Cardinal can perform a comprehensive assessment, including X-rays or 3D CBCT imaging, to evaluate your suitability. Dr Cardinal can discuss implants as an option and refer you to an implant specialist if appropriate.

CLINIQUE DENTAIRE BORDELEAU LACROIX
200-3101 Ch. Sainte-Marie
Mascouche, QC, J7K 1P2

Phone: (450) 474-2461

Dr. Michèle Cardinal is a licensed Dentiste in QC, regulated by The Ordre des dentistes du Québec (ODQ) under the Code des professions & Loi sur les dentistes (Québec).

License Number: 16412

Registration can typically be verified through the website of The Ordre des dentistes du Québec (ODQ).

Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are essential for maintaining overall health. Dr Cardinal and the team are committed to providing you with comprehensive dental care. If you have a dental emergency, please contact the clinic promptly. For after-hours emergencies that are life-threatening, proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department.