Transforming Smiles,

Redefining Confidence

Your Expert Maxillofacial Care in Pretoria

Dr Sarel Botha

Super specialised

Head & Neck Surgeon

Precision Meets Perfection

Advanced Maxillofacial Solutions

Tailored to You

Dr Brenden van Niekerk

Maxillofacial

& Oral Surgeon

Elevating Oral Health

and Aesthetics

Discover Exceptional Care in Pretoria

Welcome to Our Maxillofacial & Oral Surgery Practice

At our practice, we are committed to providing world-class care that blends surgical expertise with genuine compassion. Led by two of the field’s most accomplished specialists, Dr. Sarel Botha and Dr. Brenden van Niekerk , our team is dedicated to delivering patient-centred solutions for a wide range of maxillofacial and oral health needs.

Dr Sarel Botha

Dr. Sarel Botha is a distinguished medical professional whose career exemplifies a commitment to academic excellence, surgical expertise, and compassionate patient care.  Following a year of voluntary military training in 1999, he earned a bursary to study medicine and completed his MBChB degree at the University of Pretoria in 2005.

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Dr Brenden van Niekerk

Dr Brenden van Niekerk, a dedicated Maxillofacial & Oral Surgeon, was born in Pretoria and is inspired by Albert Einstein’s quote, “Only a life lived for others is worth living”. He pursued academic excellence, earning degrees in dentistry (BChD) and medicine (MBChB) from the University of Pretoria.

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Our Services

Cleft Lip and Palate

Dental Implants

Oral Surgery

Orthognathic
Surgery

Obstructive
Sleep Apnoea

TMJ Disorder
& Facial Pain

Facial Trauma

Facial Rejuvenation

Head and Neck Cancer

Testimonials

Dr Van Nierkerk is the best. I and my 23-year-old daughter were in a major vehicle accident in Jan 2025. Kay broke her jaw in 2 places and I had a cheekbone fracture. We praise God that he was the Dr on call. His skill, empathy and personality to calm us down before the procedure helped us to know that he was the best doctor in his field. A jaw fracture is a big thing for a teacher and know she will be healed 100% due to you. – Ilze Engelbrecht –

Dr van Niekerk did a bone augmentation and placed a dental implant for me, and I am extremely pleased with the result. He is very kind and patient and helped me to feel relaxed about a very intimidating procedure. He explained everything thoroughly and answered all of my questions so I felt well informed and prepared. Each surgery was quick and painless with a perfect result, and I had no issues whatsoever with my healing process. I highly recommend Dr van Niekerk! – Kerry Durston

Dr van Niekerk has demonstrated phenomenal patient care and consideration after I had surgery.  His sympathetic approach and post-surgery care was immensely appreciated. Dr van Niekerk, on all my  interactions and transactions with him, displayed the attitude that goes beyond patient care in that he asked all the right questions, even those I was not comfortable asking,  in order to ensure that my recovery was on the right track.  8 months after the surgery I visited with him again for a consultation and he appeased and reassured me on some of the issues that I was experiencing and put my mind at ease in terms of the length of recovery.  I am fortunate to have had such a good experience especially on surgery that is uncomfortable and creates trepidation.  Thank you Dr Niekerk. – Sal Govender

FAQ

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What is Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery?

Maxillofacial surgery is a specialised branch of surgery that focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the face, jaw, mouth, and neck. It encompasses a wide range of procedures, including correcting facial deformities, treating facial trauma, addressing jaw misalignment, removing tumours or cysts, and performing reconstructive or cosmetic surgeries. This field combines expertise in dentistry and medicine to improve both functional and aesthetic aspects of the maxillofacial region

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Do I need a referral?

You may be referred for various reasons, including:

  • Facial injuries
    Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Alignment Surgery)
  • Dental implant surgery
  • Wisdom teeth removal
  • Oral cancer diagnosis and treatment
  • Facial deformities eg. cleft lip and
  • Temporomandibular joint surgery (Jaw Joint Replacement Surgery)
  • Facial pain or headaches

Maxillofacial surgeons provide specialist care for complex conditions affecting the face, mouth and jaw.

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Can wisdom teeth be removed under local anaesthetic?

Wisdom teeth removal under local anaesthesia is a common procedure performed to extract one or more wisdom teeth while the patient remains awake. Local anaesthesia numbs the area around the teeth, ensuring the patient does not feel pain during the extraction. This approach is typically used for straightforward cases where the teeth are easily accessible and not impacted. The patient may feel pressure or movement but no pain. Recovery is generally quick, with minimal side effects

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How long will I need to be off from work or school?

Wisdom teeth removal under local anesthesia is a common procedure performed to extract one or more wisdom teeth while the patient remains awake. Local anesthesia numbs the area around the teeth, ensuring the patient does not feel pain during the extraction. This approach is typically used for straightforward cases where the teeth are easily accessible and not impacted. The patient may feel pressure or movement but no pain. Recovery is generally quick, with minimal side effects

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What are the post-operative instructions?

Post-operative instructions are dependent on the procedure and reason for treatment.

Contact Us

Address:
Cintocare Hospital, Level 4, 175
Frikkie de Beer St, Menlyn Maine,
Pretoria, 0181, Pretoria, South
Africa

    Cleft Lip and Palate

    Cleft lip and palate are common congenital conditions, occurring in about 1 in 700 births. While they often develop independently, they may sometimes be part of a broader syndrome involving other health issues. Treatment involves a systematic, staged approach, with surgeries and interventions performed throughout childhood and adolescence to address both functional and aesthetic concerns. Like head and neck cancer, cleft lip and palate care requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team to provide optimal outcomes and support for affected individuals.

    Cleft Lip and Palate

    Cleft lip and palate are common congenital conditions, occurring in about 1 in 700 births. While they often develop independently, they may sometimes be part of a broader syndrome involving other health issues. Treatment involves a systematic, staged approach, with surgeries and interventions performed throughout childhood and adolescence to address both functional and aesthetic concerns. Like head and neck cancer, cleft lip and palate care requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team to provide optimal outcomes and support for affected individuals.

    Dental Implants

    Tooth loss, whether due to trauma, decay, or other factors, can impact chewing and smiling. Dental implants provide a reliable solution for replacing missing teeth. Made from medical-grade titanium or zirconium, implants are surgically placed into the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. A dental crown is then attached to the implant, restoring both function and aesthetics.

    Dental Implants

    Tooth loss, whether due to trauma, decay, or other factors, can impact chewing and smiling. Dental implants provide a reliable solution for replacing missing teeth. Made from medical-grade titanium or zirconium, implants are surgically placed into the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. A dental crown is then attached to the implant, restoring both function and aesthetics.

    Oral Surgery

    Oral surgery encompasses a variety of procedures, including third molar (wisdom tooth) extractions and dental implant placement. Wisdom teeth, the last to erupt, often become impacted due to insufficient space in the mouth. This can lead to complications such as pain, infections, or the development of tumours and cysts, necessitating their removal.

    Oral Surgery

    Oral surgery encompasses a variety of procedures, including third molar (wisdom tooth) extractions and dental implant placement. Wisdom teeth, the last to erupt, often become impacted due to insufficient space in the mouth. This can lead to complications such as pain, infections, or the development of tumours and cysts, necessitating their removal.

    Orthognathic Surgery

    Orthognathic surgery (jaw alignment surgery) corrects jaw deformities, such as an underbite or overbite, caused by an upper or lower jaw that is too large or too small. A small lower jaw can make the chin appear recessed, altering the chin-throat contour, while a small upper jaw may give the nose a "droopy" appearance. This surgical procedure is often combined with orthodontic treatment to align the teeth and achieve a harmonious facial profile and an aesthetically pleasing smile.

    Orthognathic Surgery

    Orthognathic surgery (jaw alignment surgery) corrects jaw deformities, such as an underbite or overbite, caused by an upper or lower jaw that is too large or too small. A small lower jaw can make the chin appear recessed, altering the chin-throat contour, while a small upper jaw may give the nose a "droopy" appearance. This surgical procedure is often combined with orthodontic treatment to align the teeth and achieve a harmonious facial profile and an aesthetically pleasing smile.

    Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

    Maxillomandibular advancement surgery has the benefits of correcting the patient's facial and occlusal deformities while also addressing OSA symptoms very effectively by enlarging the size of the oral cavity and pulling the base of the tongue and soft palate forward, thus increasing the pharyngeal air space.

    Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

    Maxillomandibular advancement surgery has the benefits of correcting the patient's facial and occlusal deformities while also addressing OSA symptoms very effectively by enlarging the size of the oral cavity and pulling the base of the tongue and soft palate forward, thus increasing the pharyngeal air space.

    TMJ Surgery

    (Jaw joint replacement) The temporomandibular joint enables the movement of the lower jaw, essential for speaking, chewing, and swallowing. TMJ disorders may result from teeth clenching, sports injuries, prior jaw surgery, or conditions like arthritis. Symptoms include joint pain, clicking, and difficulty with jaw movement. Treatment options range from non-surgical approaches, such as physical therapy and medication, to surgical interventions when necessary.

    TMJ Surgery

    (Jaw joint replacement) The temporomandibular joint enables the movement of the lower jaw, essential for speaking, chewing, and swallowing. TMJ disorders may result from teeth clenching, sports injuries, prior jaw surgery, or conditions like arthritis. Symptoms include joint pain, clicking, and difficulty with jaw movement. Treatment options range from non-surgical approaches, such as physical therapy and medication, to surgical interventions when necessary.

    Facial Trauma

    Facial and jaw fractures can result from sports injuries, workplace accidents, motor vehicle collisions, and similar incidents. If left untreated, these injuries may lead to complications such as poor bite alignment, visual disturbances, or facial asymmetry. Treatment involves carefully realigning the bones and teeth and stabilizing them with rigid plates and screws to restore both function and appearance.

    Facial Trauma

    Facial and jaw fractures can result from sports injuries, workplace accidents, motor vehicle collisions, and similar incidents. If left untreated, these injuries may lead to complications such as poor bite alignment, visual disturbances, or facial asymmetry. Treatment involves carefully realigning the bones and teeth and stabilizing them with rigid plates and screws to restore both function and appearance.

    Facial rejuvenation

    Aging leads to a loss of elastin fibres in the skin, causing wrinkles and sagging. Facial rejuvenation aims to restore a youthful appearance through non-surgical options like botulinum toxin and collagen filler injections, which reduce wrinkles and enhance volume. For more significant results, surgical procedures, such as a mini facelift, tighten the facial skin, improve contours, and help restore confidence by rejuvenating the overall appearance.

    Facial rejuvenation

    Aging leads to a loss of elastin fibres in the skin, causing wrinkles and sagging. Facial rejuvenation aims to restore a youthful appearance through non-surgical options like botulinum toxin and collagen filler injections, which reduce wrinkles and enhance volume. For more significant results, surgical procedures, such as a mini facelift, tighten the facial skin, improve contours, and help restore confidence by rejuvenating the overall appearance.

    Head and Neck Cancer

    Cancer can arise in the mouth, throat, nose, and skin of the scalp and face, with a tendency to spread to the neck glands. Treatment often involves a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. These cancers are managed by multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. We are proud to contribute to both private and public sector MDTs, delivering world-class care and support to our patients.

    Head and Neck Cancer

    Cancer can arise in the mouth, throat, nose, and skin of the scalp and face, with a tendency to spread to the neck glands. Treatment often involves a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. These cancers are managed by multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. We are proud to contribute to both private and public sector MDTs, delivering world-class care and support to our patients.