expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Ammar Alessio Mekari, DDS

Dentist

Dr. Ammar Mekari is a Dentist practicing in Metairie, LA. Dr. Mekari specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
Dr. Ammar Alessio Mekari, DDS
  • Metairie, LA
  • Accepting new patients

Is Invisalign as good as braces?

Depending on each case. There are pros and cons to each. If the pt is an Invisalign candidate and is fully compliant, Invisalign would be gentler on the gums, enamel of the teeth, READ MORE
Depending on each case. There are pros and cons to each. If the pt is an Invisalign candidate and is fully compliant, Invisalign would be gentler on the gums, enamel of the teeth, and roots.

Can you remove stains from crowns?

This depends on how rough or porous the porcelain is and if the glaze is no longer there. Normally it can be polished at the dentist office and the stains can come off if the crown READ MORE
This depends on how rough or porous the porcelain is and if the glaze is no longer there. Normally it can be polished at the dentist office and the stains can come off if the crown is not made of acrylic. Best,

Are metal braces safe?

Metal braces are generally safe but they are not for everyone. You can't be allergic to the trace metals, and you can't have weak enamel. The oral condition should be healthy and READ MORE
Metal braces are generally safe but they are not for everyone. You can't be allergic to the trace metals, and you can't have weak enamel. The oral condition should be healthy and oral hygiene should be optimal.

Do front teeth crowns look natural?

The short answer to that is that they can. It depends on material type and if crowns are done in pair and symmetry. It can be often challenging to match up a single crown to natural READ MORE
The short answer to that is that they can. It depends on material type and if crowns are done in pair and symmetry. It can be often challenging to match up a single crown to natural teeth. Ultimately, it is up to the skill of the clinician who is working on you and the lab technician. Best,

How long does it take to start seeing results from Invisalign treatment?

Dear patient, There are few things that can affect your progress. 1) Are the aligners really tracking? If so, they should follow the virtual 3D model which shows you how your teeth READ MORE
Dear patient, There are few things that can affect your progress. 1) Are the aligners really tracking? If so, they should follow the virtual 3D model which shows you how your teeth progress after each aligner. 2) The number of aligners in your treatment; the more aligners you may have, the less the progress can be noticed after each aligner due to smaller tooth movements. 3) The complexity of the treatment and how hard the roots are set into the jaw bone. More bone density, less ease in moving the roots. Therefore, the most important message here is that if your teeth are not tracking as they should, then it is time to let your provider know. Best,

How long do veneers last?

Every provider may have a different answer. It also depends on what type of veneer. If it is a Lumineer which is bonded to enamel, it will last longer. Nonetheless about 10 years. READ MORE
Every provider may have a different answer. It also depends on what type of veneer. If it is a Lumineer which is bonded to enamel, it will last longer. Nonetheless about 10 years. Best,

What is the best way to fix swollen gums?

Please don't try to do that on your own. Seek a professional provider in your area. This could be due to a Periodontal or Endodontic situation most likely. There could be other READ MORE
Please don't try to do that on your own. Seek a professional provider in your area. This could be due to a Periodontal or Endodontic situation most likely. There could be other possibilities. Some are more serious than others. But do not ignore or prolong.

How can I treat throbbing pain after a root canal?

You need to be on Anti Inflammatories such as Ibuprofen 600 mg alternated with Tylenol 1000 mg every 4-6 hrs. If that doesn't work, then a prescription meds for pain may be necessary. READ MORE
You need to be on Anti Inflammatories such as Ibuprofen 600 mg alternated with Tylenol 1000 mg every 4-6 hrs. If that doesn't work, then a prescription meds for pain may be necessary. The throbbing pain should improve after 48 hrs. If not so, then the tooth needs to be further evaluated by an Endodontist specialist. Best,

How much pain is normal after a root canal?

There is no yes or no answer to the question. It will depend on a few things: *) How infected the tooth was. *) How skilled the clinician is. If the clinician is skilled and the READ MORE
There is no yes or no answer to the question. It will depend on a few things: *) How infected the tooth was. *) How skilled the clinician is. If the clinician is skilled and the infection is NOT out of control, then postoperatively, the discomfort should be minimal and very transient (24-48 hrs). OTC pain meds should be able to handle it if necessary. Best,

How long will my dentures hurt?

IF they hurt during function causing any sore spots then they should be adjusted at your provider's until they cause no more sore spots. Best Regards,

What sedation is done for a root canal?

If I understand the question correctly, sedation procedures are done to simply alleviate anxiety and have the procedure go smoothly. Sedation can be either in the form of Oral READ MORE
If I understand the question correctly, sedation procedures are done to simply alleviate anxiety and have the procedure go smoothly. Sedation can be either in the form of Oral conscious or IV conscious sedation (twilight sleep). Best wishes,

What is the best toothpaste for bleeding gums?

There is no particular toothpaste that will make a significant difference. There is mouthwash that can help with bleeding gums such as Listerine and Peridex (prescription). What READ MORE
There is no particular toothpaste that will make a significant difference. There is mouthwash that can help with bleeding gums such as Listerine and Peridex (prescription). What is mostly important is to find out the *source* of bleeding gums from your local provider instead of trying to mask it. It could be Gingivitis, Periodontitis and or an infected tooth which all need a professional intervention. Best Regards,

How long after tooth extraction can a bridge be fitted?

Answers can vary depending on the type of extraction and where it is located. Since it has been 2 weeks for your extraction, I would wait for the socket to close. If you can wait READ MORE
Answers can vary depending on the type of extraction and where it is located. Since it has been 2 weeks for your extraction, I would wait for the socket to close. If you can wait 4 more weeks it would be better. Best,

Is a dental bridge noticeable?

If done properly, it should not be noticeable. It can be more noticeable if there is significant bone defect or recessed gums. Then additional procedures would be needed to make READ MORE
If done properly, it should not be noticeable.
It can be more noticeable if there is significant bone defect or recessed gums. Then additional procedures would be needed to make it look natural.
In the esthetic zone, it becomes even more important to properly match the shade, chroma and hue with the natural dentition which requires skill and can be challenging at times.

Should my daughter be seen?

Although this sounds like a hematoma that is benign one can't know for certain. Even if healthy, your daughter should always be on preventive checkups and annual Oral Cancer screening READ MORE
Although this sounds like a hematoma that is benign one can't know for certain. Even if healthy, your daughter should always be on preventive checkups and annual Oral Cancer screening since things can manifest undetected. If a potential lesion becomes obvious after years of manifestation, then more aggressive treatments may be needed rather than simpler ones in the early stages. I hope this helps.

What type of sore is this? Do I need to worry about it?

You may want to consider excising it with a soft tissue laser and sending the specimen to a pathology lab at a DDS provider that offers this kind of service. If benign, what we READ MORE
You may want to consider excising it with a soft tissue laser and sending the specimen to a pathology lab at a DDS provider that offers this kind of service. If benign, what we hope for, then we may get rid of if or at least drastically decrease the recurrence rate. If not benign, then you caught it sooner rather than later and the treatment will be less invasive now than later. I hope this helps.

Can a tooth bridge cause gum pain?

Gum pain may be a postoperative event after the procedure. But it should be temporary and it should improve day after day. If it does not improve or if it worsens then it needs READ MORE
Gum pain may be a postoperative event after the procedure. But it should be temporary and it should improve day after day. If it does not improve or if it worsens then it needs to be checked out. Hope that helps

Can you eat whatever you want with veneers?

You can possibly eat almost everything with lumineers, however there are few things to consider: 1) Depending on the knowledge of the provider in veneers prep and design and the READ MORE
You can possibly eat almost everything with lumineers, however there are few things to consider:
1) Depending on the knowledge of the provider in veneers prep and design and the maximization of proper bonding techniques.
2) Veneer vs Lumineer. Lumineers bond stronger on enamel. Veneers tend to bond on dentin which is a much weaker bond.
3) Universal caution to be applied. Avoid incising harsh and crunchy foods; Not much harder past biting on an apple. Don't hold clips, nails, so forth between teeth. Don't bite into hard French bread, so forth.
4) Invest in Therapeutic Splint for nighttime protection which ensures longevity of the Veneers/Lumineers.

Does a dental implant procedure require general anesthesia?

If there is no issue with high anxiety then a local anesthesia is sufficient for the great majority of patients. I have done full mouth implants on patients with just local Anesthesia READ MORE
If there is no issue with high anxiety then a local anesthesia is sufficient for the great majority of patients. I have done full mouth implants on patients with just local Anesthesia and Oral Conscious Sedation. Anxiolytics by mouth can be helpful to some. General anesthesia takes place at the hospital for severely medically compromised patients. IV conscious sedation (twilight sleep) is another option that can be used in office for anxious patients. Hope that helps.

How can I make my partial dentures fit better?

Please go to your provider to adjust them for you. That also depends on what kind of partial it is and what may be going on with your teeth. You could do damage if you try to adjust READ MORE
Please go to your provider to adjust them for you.
That also depends on what kind of partial it is and what may be going on
with your teeth.
You could do damage if you try to adjust them yourself.