Natural dimples are facial indentations which can be noticed whilst smiling. Dimpleplasty is a surgical procedure that forms a similar dimple in the cheek by making a small cut in the mouth. Either one or both cheeks can be treated. The new dimple will be deep at first, or visible at rest, but will soften as healing takes place. Face shape, dimple location, surgical procedure and healing will affect the outcome. Infection, asymmetry and loss of dimples are possible, and a treatment should only be done by a surgeon who has the proper licensing and experience in facial anatomy.
What Is Dimple Creation Surgery?
Dimpleplasty is a cosmetic procedure that is performed to give a controlled dimple in the cheek. The surgeon creates a small incision in the inside of the cheek, then joins the layers of dermis to the deeper cheek tissue. As the attachment heals, it pulls the skin together creating a dimple. Techniques include selective muscle treatment and dermomuscular plication and the plication may become less pronounced as healing progresses.
Why Is It Called Dimpleplasty?
Dimpleplasty is a new word created by the combination of dimple and plasty which means the process of making or shaping a plastic.
This can also be known as one of the following:
- Dimple creation
- Cheek dimple surgery
- Cosmetic dimple surgery
- Artificial dimple creation
Is Dimple Creation Really Surgery?
Yes. Despite local anaesthetic, the procedure of dimpleplasty is a manipulation of the soft tissues, an intraoral wound, suturing, development of an internal scar and healing of the scar. It also has its risks of infection and bleeding and shouldn’t be called a beauty treatment without an invasive procedure.
How Do Natural Cheek Dimples Form?
Natural cheek dimples are caused by differences in interaction among the facial muscles, connective tissues and overlying skin. They can be located on either side of the cheeks or both and can be shallow or deep. Some are only seen at rest, others are only seen when they are smiling.
What Makes a Dimple Look Natural?
The natural appearance of a dimple is a function of its:
- Relationship with the smile
- Cheek thickness
- Facial width
- Depth and position
- Mouth distance
- Existing facial asymmetry
- Facial muscle movement
The goal of dimpleplasty is to mimic this relationship so that the indentation is more responsive to the movement of deeper tissue in the face – giving the dimples a more natural appearance.
Where Should a Dimple Be Positioned?
The perfect dimple placement varies from one face to another. The surgeon takes into account the pattern of your smile, the corners of your mouth, cheek fullness, mouth width, zygomatic prominence, your natural creases, facial symmetry and your personal preferences when planning your surgery.
Traditional Dimple-Marking Methods
Some techniques incorporate reference lines around the mouth, eye and cheek. Others examine the cheek while you smile or pull your cheeks inwards to find a suitable depression point. There is no one size fits all for facial measurements.
Why Dimple Placement Matters
A dimple that is too close to the mouth, too far to one side, too high, too low, or not symmetrical with the other dimple will make the opposite dimple look artificial. The chosen site should be verified during consciousness before the swelling of the face and anaesthetic effect of the surgery alters the shape of the face.
One Dimple or Two Dimples?
Unilateral Dimple Creation
Unilateral dimple creation is the treatment of one cheek. You might select it if you prefer a single dimple, already have a natural one, wish to have an identical one on the other side or simply want to keep the natural dimple asymmetry of your face.
Bilateral Dimple Creation
Both cheeks are treated in Bilateral Dimple Creation. The surgeon can achieve the same position and depth but the natural beauty of the face side to side can vary and the results cannot be guaranteed to be the same. One dimple can also look different from the other for a short period of time after swelling because of early swelling.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Potential candidates may include adults who:
- Desire to have cheek dimples for cosmetic purposes
- Have realistic expectations
- Understand that the change can be long-lasting
- Acknowledge that perfect symmetry may not be possible
- Have good general health
- Will provide good oral hygiene
- Are able to adhere to post surgical protocols
- Have no active open wound or facial infection.
Who May Not Be Suitable?
- Active dental infection
- Oral ulcers
- Facial skin infection
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Significant immune suppression
- Bleeding disorders
- Poor wound healing
- Strong tendency to scarring that is a problem.
- Major issues with the facial nerves
- Some prior facial surgery to the face
- Unrealistic expectations
The importance of the correct patient selection and the need for extra caution for patients who are prone to keloid formation are emphasized in the 2025 review of dimple creation surgery.
Consultation Before Dimpleplasty
Prior to Dimpleplasty Dubai, your surgeon will discuss your medical and dental history, medications and supplements, blood thinning medications, smoking, oral health, history of facial treatments, fillers, fat gifting, history of trauma or facial nerves. They also look at the thickness of the cheeks, smile movement and the symmetry of the face.
Previous Cheek Filler
The effects of previous cheek filler may include a change in cheek volume, change in cheek tissue planes, change in position and symmetry of the dimples. Tell your surgeon the filler product, approximate amount, injection area and treatment date.
Previous Buccal Fat Removal
A dimple created during the buccal fat removal will be affected by the volume reduction of the cheeks that occurs in previous surgeries.
Types of Dimple Creation Techniques
There are several different methods to dimpleplasty depending on the facial structure, surgical technique and the outcome one wishes to achieve.
Suture-Based Dimpleplasty
A small hole inside the mouth is used to attach a stitch between deeper tissues within the cheek and the dermis. This attachment tightens the skin towards the center, forming the dimple. However, there are clinical reports of good results, though there is a risk of swelling, haematoma and infection.
Tissue-Excision Technique
The surgeon may take a small piece of soft tissue or muscle prior to the connection of the dermis to deeper soft tissue of the cheeks. When healing occurs, an in-grown adhesion is forming which leaves the imprint.
Open vs Closed Techniques
Closed or suture based techniques typically have less tissue removal and small internal access. Open techniques enable more direct manipulation of tissues and may offer more control over the attachment.
Several ways have been described in the published literature, but there is no one standard method.
Which Technique Is Best?
The choice depends on your cheek thickness, desired dimple depth, facial anatomy, previous surgery, patient goals and surgeon experience.
Dimple Creation Procedure
Dimple Marking
The surgeon will mark the position of the dimple, depth, treatment side and relationship to your smile prior to anaesthesia. The planned placement can be verified prior to surgery.
Local Anaesthesia
Local anaesthetic is the commonly used technique for dimpleplasty, where it is used on the cheek and you are awake. Clinically appropriate sedation may be utilized at times.
Intraoral Incision
A small incision is made inside the cheek allowing the surgeon to access the deeper tissue. Typically no external incision is needed.
Creating the Internal Attachment
In the different techniques used the surgeon may remove soft tissue, manipulate muscle fibres selectively and insert a suture towards the lower side of the skin. When the deeper tissue is attached to the dermis, it pulls inwards in order to create the dimple.
Internal Closure
Surgeon sutures the internal wound using absorbable sutures or other appropriate sutures, depending on the technique.
Immediate Appearance
The dimple might appear more recessed than usual after surgery or it may show up even when you are not smiling. A swelling may also accentuate asymmetry. Does not necessarily reflect the final outcome.
Does Dimple Creation Hurt?
Local anaesthetic will lessen any pain sensations but there may still be some pressure or pulling felt during Dimpleplasty. Temporary discomfort, tightness, swelling and mild chewing discomfort or tenderness of the cheeks following treatment. But any pain or worsening pain should not be normal, it could be a sign of infection or another complication.
Dimple Creation Recovery Timeline
First 24–48 Hours
A swelling, mild bruising, tenderness in the mouth, tightness and a static looking dimple may occur in the cheeks. The impression might continue even when your face is totally relaxed.
First Week
Swelling gradually improves, however, there is still mild discomfort with chewing. Proper oral care is essential and soft foods may be recommended by your surgeon. The dimple can still make itself noticeable even in a relaxed position.
Two to Four Weeks
A healing process takes place inside, causing the dimple to slowly fade. Movement may be more noticeable, but there can be slight asymmetry during this stage.
One to Three Months
The internal scar tissue will continue to develop which may further soften the dimple creating more natural movement. Over time, its final depth becomes more apparent.
According to a modern surgical review, the dimple is a very visible bump at the beginning and becomes less pronounced with healing. Everyone will not experience the same recovery time and no specific recovery schedule applies.
Dimpleplasty Aftercare
- Use mouth rinses according to the directions
- Be sure to practice excellent oral health
- Gently brush around treatment area
- Avoid touching the incision with your hands
- Avoid smoking
- Take antibiotics or medication as prescribed
- Eat soft foods during early recovery, if advised
- Do not eat very spicy or irritating food for a while
- Never pull the cheek over and over again to see the outcome
- Attend follow up appointments
Call the clinic immediately for:
- Increasing swelling
- Severe pain
- Fever
- Pus
- Foul taste
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Hard and painful swelling of the cheeks
- Persistent bleeding
- New facial weakness
When Will the Dimple Look Natural?
The dimpleplasty may appear indented right after the procedure and the dimples may be permanent and visible when relaxed. As the healing occurs, swelling gets reduced, internal scar softens and the attachment becomes less stiff. The dimple might slowly start to become more prominent particularly during a smile, which helps to give the face a more appealing and expressive look. The end result will rely on the surgical technique, thickness of the cheeks, depth of the dimples, scarring and facial movement. This resolution of the initial prominent indentation to a softer appearance during healing has been reported in clinical descriptions. But each patient is unique and an artificial dimple can not always be made to look like a natural dimple.
Is Dimple Creation Permanent?
Dimpleplasty is designed to make a long term surgical connection. However, there is a potential for changes over time. The dimple can persist and deepen, or get flatter, fade or disappear over time. Sometimes it continues to be visible at rest or one side might be different from the other as it heals. Dimple fading or loss is reported in clinical studies and, in some cases, repeat or revision surgery may be necessary. A wide variety of factors can affect the final appearance including healing, scar formation, facial movement and tissue changes. So, dimpleplasty should be viewed as a possible, but not an assured, change for a lifetime.
Risks and Possible Complications
Swelling and Bruising
The swelling and slight bruising are temporary and will get better as healing occurs.
Bleeding and Haematoma
Bleeding may occur and a small haematoma or blood collection can form in the cheek.
Infection
Careful oral hygiene and infection prevention are important when using dimpleplasty due to its intraoral incision. Reports have been published of bacterial infection, with the formation of an abscess. Symptoms are progressive pain and swelling, fever, pus and inability or difficulty to open the mouth.
Cheek Abscess
Antibiotics or further surgery may be necessary for a cheek abscess. Bilateral cheek abscesses after dimple creation surgery have been reported.
Dimple Loss
During healing, the dimple can fade or disappear, which may need additional therapy.
Excessively Deep Dimple
The rest may be indented or the indentation may be deeper than it should be.
Asymmetry
A dimple could be more raised or more sunken, more noticeable or not.
Foreign-Body Reaction
Sometimes suture material may cause inflammatory response or foreign body reaction.
Facial Nerve or Muscle Injury
Damage to the structures of the face can result in weakness or altered movement and therefore correct knowledge of the anatomy and surgical skill is essential.
Revision Surgery
A revision can be considered when there are dimple loss, poor placement, too deep, or when there are any infection related issues or asymmetry.
Can Dimpleplasty Be Reversed?
The creation of dimples is a surgical procedure and should not be thought of as a cosmetic procedure but rather as something that may be permanent.
Corrective treatment elements can include:
- Releasing the internal adhesion
- Revising scar tissue
- Fat grafting
- Fill in on a case by case basis
- Surgical correction
However there are limits to reversal.
It is not always possible to replicate the original cheek structure exactly. There may be additional risks and internal scar tissue may develop after the procedure.
Therefore, it is important for patients to carefully consider the position of the dimples and the depth they want before surgery to make sure they can be reversed at a later stage if needed.
Dimple Creation vs Natural Dimples
| Natural Dimples | Surgical Dimples |
| Develop from natural anatomy | Created through surgical adhesion |
| No surgical wound | Requires intraoral surgery |
| Usually dynamic with facial movement | May initially be visible at rest |
| No procedural risks | Infection and asymmetry are possible |
| Can naturally change with age | Surgical result can also change over time |
Dimple Creation vs Cheek Filler
Dimpleplasty and cheek filler work in opposite directions.
Dimpleplasty:
- Creates an indentation
- Uses surgical tissue attachment
- Adjusts the relationship between the skin and deeper tissue in the area being treated
- May be able to make a dimple in the face when smiling
Cheek filler:
- Adds volume
- Increases projection
- Changes facial contour
- Does not consistently form the proper dimple in the smile position
Filler may have already changed the contours or fullness of the cheeks and it is important you let your surgeon know if you have had any filler before the cosmetic dimple surgery.
Dimple Creation vs Buccal Fat Removal
A controlled internal attachment is used to form a localised cheek indentation called dimpleplasty.
The buccal fat removal technique will help to reduce the volume of fat in the lower cheeks and give the face a slimmer shape by removing deeper fat.
Buccal fat removal cannot reproduce a true smile dependent dimple.
The combination of dimple creation and too much cheek hollowing can also lead to an unnatural appearing face or a too sunken look.
Dimple Creation Surgery Cost in Dubai
The average price of a dimple creation surgery in Dubai is AED 5,000 – AED 12,000 depending on the clinic, surgeon and treatment plan. This may depend on the type of procedure (one or two cheeks), surgeon fees, facility fees, local anaesthetic or sedation, surgical technique, previous facial surgery, medications, follow up and revision policy. Be sure to ask if the quoted price is for unilateral or bilateral dimpleplasty and what is included in the price.
A dedicated Dimple Creation Surgery Cost in Dubai page can provide a detailed breakdown of consultation fees, unilateral and bilateral treatment, revision surgery, medication and follow up care.
How to Choose a Dimpleplasty Surgeon in Dubai
Patients should verify:
- An active Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or relevant UAE professional licence
- Surgical specialty and scope of practice is appropriate
- Clinical privileges for the procedure
- Experience with facial cosmetic surgery
- Specific experience in making dimples
- An understanding of the anatomy of the facial nerve
- An understanding of the anatomy of the parotid duct
- Appropriate surgical facilities
- Sterile intraoral technique
- Oral infection-control protocols
- Complication-management arrangements
- Follow-up availability
- Before and after photos of real patients
- A clearly stated revision policy.
- Written informed consent
The healthcare regulatory system in Dubai mandates that healthcare professionals operate within the scope of their license and the privileges they have with the healthcare facility. The standards for DHA also relate clinical privileges to practitioner credentials, qualifications, experience and facility capabilities.
Questions to Ask During Consultation
- Am I a suitable candidate for dimpleplasty?
- Where should my dimple be positioned?
- Would one or two dimples suit my face?
- How deep should the dimple be?
- Which surgical technique do you use?
- Is tissue removed or only sutured?
- Will the incision be entirely inside the mouth?
- Which type of anaesthesia is required?
- Will the dimple initially show at rest?
- How long before it looks more natural?
- Can the dimple fade or disappear?
- Can it become too deep?
- What is your infection rate?
- How are cheek infections managed?
- How do you protect facial nerves?
- How do you avoid the parotid duct?
- Could I need revision surgery?
- Can the procedure be reversed?
- What is included in the price?
- What follow up care is provided?
Why Choose Vow Clinic Dubai?
Vow Clinic Dubai specialises in one to one facial and smile analysis, providing a personalised method to position dimples. Treatment can include local anaesthetic and one sided or bilateral dimple creation (where clinically appropriate). The clinic can offer comprehensive after oral care, the monitoring of infections, a structured follow up system, clear quotations and a revision process. Properly licensed surgeons and reasonable expectations are always a part of the treatment, along with no guarantees of results or symmetry.
FAQs
What is dimple creation surgery?
Dimple creation surgery involves performing a controlled dimple in the cheeks using an intraoral surgical procedure.
What is dimpleplasty?
Dimpleplasty is a procedure in which the skin is stitched to deeper cheek tissue to form the dimples on the cheeks.
How are artificial cheek dimples created?
An incision is made in the inside of the face and a device is attached to the dermis to the deeper skin of the face to draw the skin back inwards.
Is dimple creation surgery permanent?
Dimpleplasty will seek to provide lasting results but the dimples can fade, flatten or disappear.
Can I choose where the dimple is placed?
The final location may be chosen by the surgeon and discussions can be held about the preferred location as it fits the face; however, it is largely a matter of the surgeon’s choice.
Can I have one dimple instead of two?
Yes! Unilateral dimpleplasty is capable of forming a dimple on either one cheek.
Can both cheeks be treated?
Bilateral dimpleplasty can be performed on both cheeks, but can’t ensure the symmetry.
Does dimpleplasty hurt?
Local anaesthetic will help to minimise pain during treatment and will cause some pain, swelling and tenderness after treatment.
Is general anaesthesia required?
No! Local anaesthetic is usually widely used in dimpleplasty but sometimes sedation can be used.
Does dimple creation leave an external scar?
There is typically no stitches made on the outside of the body, as the surgeon accesses the body from within the mouth.
Why is the dimple visible without smiling after surgery?
The new dimple may swell and heal inwards early, resulting in an apparent deeper dimple at rest.
When will a surgical dimple look natural?
The depression becomes less severe as swelling subsides and the internal tissues heal, but this process has a time lag and can differ in timing for each patient.
How long is dimpleplasty recovery?
Early recovery is usually good within a week of the injury and internal healing and maturation of the dimples may proceed for weeks or months.
Can a surgically created dimple disappear?
Yes! It is possible to get dimple fading or a total fading and it can be treated again.
What are the risks of dimple creation?
Possible complications include swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, haematoma, asymmetry, loss of dimples and deepness.
Can dimpleplasty cause a cheek infection?
Yes! The procedure does involve an intraoral incision and so can infect.
Can dimple surgery damage facial nerves?
Possible complications of facial nerve injury and weakness or altered movement of the face.
Can dimple creation be reversed?
Sometimes it’s possible to correct the condition but the exact appearance of the cheek may not be restored.
How do I choose a qualified surgeon in Dubai?
Ensure the surgeon has a valid UAE licence, scope of practice, clinical privileges, dimpleplasty experience and complication and follow up procedures.
How much does dimple creation surgery cost in Dubai?
The price of dimpleplasty can go up to AED 5,000 – AED 12,000 depending on the procedure and the number of cheeks being treated.
