Dr. Petrie van der Merwe

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Dr. Petrie van der Merwe Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery practice that aims to provide respectful and quality care for our patients.
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🦷 GUESS WHICH PROCEDURE GETS THE MOST GOOGLE SEARCHES?The answer might surprise you: wisdom teeth!Published research ana...
15/10/2026

🦷 GUESS WHICH PROCEDURE GETS THE MOST GOOGLE SEARCHES?

The answer might surprise you: wisdom teeth!

Published research analysing Google search trends found that wisdom teeth attracted more searches than other major oral and maxillofacial surgery topics included in the study.

Why are people so curious? Pain, swelling, impacted teeth and the big question: Do mine need to come out?

The good news is that not every wisdom tooth needs to be removed. The right decision depends on your individual circumstances and a professional assessment.

💬 Tell us in the comments: Have you had your wisdom teeth removed, or are you still waiting to find out?

⏳ The 2-Week Rule: Don’t ignore what doesn’t go away.We all get mouth sores from time to time. But what happens when one...
13/10/2026

⏳ The 2-Week Rule: Don’t ignore what doesn’t go away.

We all get mouth sores from time to time. But what happens when one just won’t heal?

👀 A sore that lasts longer than two weeks deserves attention. The same goes for unusual red or white patches, lumps or other changes in your mouth.

It doesn’t automatically mean cancer — but it’s important to get it checked rather than assume it will go away on its own.

Your mouth may be trying to tell you something. Are you paying attention?

📌 Save this reminder and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

📍 Dr Petrie van der Merwe | Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Somerset West
📞 021 300 1572

Some things know how to make an entrance. 😅Wisdom teeth? They have a talent for showing up at exactly the wrong time — j...
09/10/2026

Some things know how to make an entrance. 😅

Wisdom teeth? They have a talent for showing up at exactly the wrong time — just when you’re busy, travelling, studying, or have a big event coming up.

And when they decide to cause trouble, ignoring them rarely makes the problem disappear.

Did yours make an untimely entrance? 👀

Let’s talk about it.

06/10/2026

Your jaw works hard all day… but are you making it work even harder? 👀

Some everyday habits may be putting more strain on your jaw than you realise — from chewing gum for hours to clenching your teeth or even resting your chin on your hand.

Over time, this can contribute to jaw pain, stiffness, clicking or discomfort.

The tricky part? You may be doing these things without even noticing.

💬 Which one of these habits are you guilty of?

If you’re experiencing ongoing jaw discomfort, speak to us about an assessment.

“I thought I was going to be in immense pain…”For this patient, having three deeply impacted wisdom teeth removed was he...
01/10/2026

“I thought I was going to be in immense pain…”

For this patient, having three deeply impacted wisdom teeth removed was her first experience with surgery — and understandably, she was nervous about what to expect.

But what she remembers most wasn’t just the procedure. It was how she was cared for throughout the entire experience. ❤️

From having her questions answered and being reassured before surgery, to recovering faster than she expected — and even receiving a thoughtful birthday phone call from Zim before her procedure — it was the little moments that made a big difference.

Her words beautifully capture what we strive for every day:

“Thank you for making what I thought would be a very stressful experience so much easier.”

Thank you for trusting Dr Petrie van der Merwe and our team with your care. It means so much to receive feedback like this. 🤍

Considering wisdom tooth surgery?
Speak to us about an assessment.

📍 Somerset West
📞 021 300 1572

😴 Think you know sleep apnoea? Think again.It’s easy to associate sleep apnoea with loud snoring or weight — but there’s...
29/09/2026

😴 Think you know sleep apnoea? Think again.

It’s easy to associate sleep apnoea with loud snoring or weight — but there’s more to the story.

Your jaw position, facial structure and airway anatomy can all play a role in obstructive sleep apnoea.

Swipe through these 4 common myths and see how many you’ve heard before. 👀

💬 Did any of these surprise you? Tell us in the comments.

📌 Save this post for later and share it with someone who needs to see it.

If you think sleep apnoea could be affecting you, speak to us about an assessment.

📍 Somerset West
📞 021 300 1572

🇿🇦 Heritage Day = Braai Day! 🔥🥩Today we’re swapping dental instruments for braai tongs and celebrating the flavours, tra...
24/09/2026

🇿🇦 Heritage Day = Braai Day! 🔥🥩

Today we’re swapping dental instruments for braai tongs and celebrating the flavours, traditions and people that make South Africa so special. 🇿🇦❤️

From boerewors to sosaties, chops to chicken — what will you be braaing for Braai Day? 👇🔥

Wishing you a happy Heritage Day filled with good food, great company and plenty of reasons to smile! 😁

22/09/2026

THROAT CANCER: KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

“Throat cancer” isn’t just one type of cancer. It can develop in different areas, including the oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx and nasopharynx.

Some warning signs can be easy to overlook:

⚠️ Persistent sore throat
⚠️ Hoarseness or voice changes
⚠️ Difficulty swallowing
⚠️ A lump in the neck or throat
⚠️ Unexplained throat or ear pain
⚠️ A sore that doesn’t heal

Don’t ignore persistent changes. Getting unusual symptoms assessed early matters.

Save this post for future reference and share it with someone who needs to see it.

📍 Somerset West
📞 021 300 1572
📲 Petrie van der Merwe | Maxillo-Facial-and-Oral-Surgeon

🦷 Missing a tooth? Don’t just replace the gap. Think about what’s happening underneath.A missing tooth can affect more t...
17/09/2026

🦷 Missing a tooth? Don’t just replace the gap. Think about what’s happening underneath.

A missing tooth can affect more than your smile. Over time, the jawbone around the missing tooth can lose stimulation and begin to shrink.

That’s where the different replacement options come in:

BRIDGE → relies on neighbouring teeth
DENTURE → removable and may be less stable
DENTAL IMPLANT → replaces the tooth root and helps preserve the surrounding bone

The best option isn’t the same for everyone — it depends on your teeth, gums, bone and overall oral health.

If you’re missing a tooth, know your options before deciding.

📍 Somerset West
📞 021 300 1572

A bruise? You can see it.A fracture? Maybe not. 👀Facial trauma can hide beneath the surface — from broken bones and nerv...
15/09/2026

A bruise? You can see it.

A fracture? Maybe not. 👀

Facial trauma can hide beneath the surface — from broken bones and nerve injuries to damage affecting the jaw or teeth.

What you can’t see can still cause lasting problems.

If you’ve taken a serious blow to the face, get it checked.

Address

44 Reitz Street
Somerset West
7129

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

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