A small change with a long memory. Performed through the mouth, with no visible scar.
Dimple creation surgery, also known as dimpleplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that creates a natural-looking dimple in the cheek or, less commonly, the chin. It is performed through a small incision inside the mouth, leaves no visible facial scar, and usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. For most patients, the results are permanent.
Natural dimples occur in about one in five people because of a variation in the cheek muscle. Dimpleplasty recreates this feature to produce a dimple that appears when you smile.
This guide explains how dimple creation surgery works, who is a suitable candidate, what recovery involves, the costs, and the key factors to consider before making a permanent change to your smile.
- Intraoral approach, no facial scar
- Permanent, natural-looking result
- ISAPS-accredited training centre
Procedure at a glance
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Dimple Creation Surgery Best Results / Before & After
A NOTE ON PHILOSOPHY
A Note on What Dimple Creation Is, and What It Is Not
Dimpleplasty is technically among the simpler cosmetic procedures performed in facial plastic surgery. The operation takes less than an hour, recovery is generally short, the scar is hidden inside the mouth, and the complication rate is low. None of those facts make the decision itself simple.
A smile is one of the most recognisable aspects of a person’s appearance. Dimple creation treatment changes how that smile is perceived, often in a subtle but permanent way. While reversal may sometimes be possible, it is neither straightforward nor guaranteed, particularly once healing and scar formation are complete.
For that reason, this practice takes a considered approach to facial dimple creation surgery. Patients are encouraged to think carefully about whether they genuinely want a permanent dimple and what style of dimple feels authentic to them. An honest consultation should be as much about deciding whether to proceed as it is about explaining how the procedure works.
The purpose of this page is not to persuade you to have surgery. It is to help you decide whether dimple creation is genuinely right for you. Both proceeding and deciding not to proceed are valid outcomes of a good consultation.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE
Who Is a Candidate for Dimpleplasty?
Dimpleplasty is appropriate for adults in good general health who have considered carefully whether they want a permanent change to their smile and who have realistic expectations regarding the final result.
The most common reasons patients seek dimple creation surgery include:
Good Candidates
Not a Candidate
The most important factor in candidacy is certainty. Dimpleplasty is one of the few cosmetic procedures where the conversation about whether you should have surgery can be just as important as the conversation about how the surgery is performed.
If you are unsure, wait. Dimple creation surgery will still be available next year, and confidence in the decision matters far more than timing.
THE ANATOMY
Why Some People Have Dimples (and Most Do Not)
Natural dimples result from a variation in the zygomaticus major muscle, which lifts the corners of the mouth when you smile. Instead of attaching at a single point beneath the skin, the muscle may have a split (bifid) attachment that tethers the skin to deeper tissues. When the muscle contracts, the skin is pulled inward, creating a dimple.
Dimple creation surgery recreates this anatomy. Through a small incision inside the mouth, a small amount of tissue is removed, and a dissolvable suture anchors the inner cheek tissue to the underlying muscle. As the area heals, a permanent internal attachment forms, creating a natural-looking dimple.
By recreating a naturally occurring anatomical variation, dimpleplasty can produce natural-looking results. Once healing is complete, the dimple becomes part of your smile over time.
PLACEMENT AND STYLE
Placement, Depth, and Style: What You Will Decide Together
Dimples vary considerably in appearance. Some are subtle and visible only during broad smiles. Others are deeper and more noticeable even with minimal facial expression. Dimple creation surgery can be tailored across this spectrum, with the final decision made together during consultation.
| Style of Dimple | Position and Depth | Often Suited To |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Cheek Dimple | Placed at the natural smile-crease point, with a shallow tethering depth for a subtle indentation when smiling. | Most patients seeking a natural, easily-overlooked look that complements rather than dominates the smile. |
| Defined Cheek Dimple | Placed at the same anatomical point, with a slightly deeper tethering for a more visible dimple when smiling. | Patients who want a more obviously dimpled smile, often inspired by a family member or a particular look they have in mind. |
| Chin Dimple (Cleft) | A small midline indentation created on the chin, with a different surgical approach to cheek dimples. | Patients seeking a feature dimple on the chin rather than the cheeks. Less commonly requested in India. |
| Single (Asymmetric) Dimple | One dimple created on a single cheek, matching the patient’s preference or an existing natural dimple on the other side. | Patients with one naturally occurring dimple wanting symmetry, or those preferring an intentionally asymmetric look. |
What the Procedure Involves
The information below is a general overview. The specifics of your dimple creation procedure will be documented in the written surgical plan after your consultation.
Local anaesthesia is administered through a numbing injection inside the cheek. Most patients remain awake and comfortable throughout the procedure. Sedation can be arranged for patients who feel particularly anxious or prefer additional relaxation.
Dimple creation surgery typically takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes, whether a single dimple or bilateral dimples are being created. Much of this time is spent confirming placement and symmetry before the procedure begins.
A tiny incision, usually around 5 mm in length, is made inside the mouth opposite the planned dimple location. There is no external skin incision and therefore no visible facial scar.
Through the intraoral incision, a small amount of tissue is removed at the chosen site. A dissolvable suture is then passed through the cheek tissue to create an attachment between the skin and the underlying muscle. This recreates the anatomy responsible for naturally occurring dimples and determines the final depth of the dimple.
The internal incision is closed with absorbable sutures that dissolve naturally and do not require removal.
Dimpleplasty is a day-care procedure. Most patients leave the clinic within an hour after surgery.
All facial dimple creation surgery at this practice is performed in an accredited clinical facility with appropriate monitoring and safety protocols.
Recovery: A Realistic Timeline
Recovery from dimpleplasty is generally straightforward and shorter than most facial cosmetic procedures. The timeline below is typical rather than universal.
Mild swelling, cheek tightness, and tenderness are expected. During this period, the newly created dimple is usually visible even when the face is at rest. This is normal and temporary. Patients are advised to follow a soft diet, maintain oral hygiene with antiseptic mouth rinses, and complete the prescribed course of antibiotics.
Swelling begins to reduce noticeably. The dimple gradually becomes less obvious at rest and starts to behave more naturally during smiling. Most patients return to work and normal social activities within three to five days. Normal eating habits are reintroduced progressively.
Healing continues and the cheeks feel increasingly natural. The dimple becomes subtler when the face is relaxed while remaining visible during smiling and facial expression. Light exercise may be resumed.
The dimple settles further into its intended appearance. The dissolvable sutures have disappeared, and the permanent internal attachment between skin and muscle has matured.
The final result emerges. The dimple now behaves like a naturally occurring one, appearing primarily during smiling and becoming less apparent at rest.
Patients receive a structured follow-up schedule with reviews at week 1, week 4, and month 3. Remote follow-up is available for patients travelling from outside Delhi.
PERMANENCE
Are the Results Permanent? And Can the Dimple Be Reversed?
One of the most common questions about dimple creation surgery is whether the result lasts permanently. In most cases, the answer is yes.
As healing occurs, the dissolvable suture is replaced by scar tissue that permanently anchors the skin to the underlying muscle. This attachment creates the characteristic indentation associated with a natural dimple. Ageing, weight fluctuations, and facial changes may subtly influence the appearance over time, but the dimple itself generally remains.
Can dimple creation surgery be reversed?
Sometimes, but not always.
In the early healing phase, before scar tissue has matured, releasing the attachment may allow the dimple to soften or disappear. Once healing is complete, reversal becomes considerably more complex and may not completely restore the original appearance. Secondary procedures can also create their own irregularities or scar tissue.
For that reason, dimpleplasty should be approached as a permanent cosmetic decision. Reversal exists as a possibility in selected circumstances, but it should never be viewed as a guaranteed backup plan. The right time to be certain is before surgery, not afterwards.
RISKS
Risks: An Honest Disclosure
Although dimple creation is generally a low-risk procedure, it is important to understand the possible risks before deciding on surgery. Dimple creation surgery is generally considered a low-risk cosmetic procedure when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon.
These include bleeding, infection, delayed healing of the intraoral incision, and uncommon reactions to local anaesthesia.
These include asymmetry, excessive prominence at rest, inadequate depth, or gradual fading if the scar attachment does not form as intended. Occasionally, a minor revision procedure may be considered.
This is common around the cheek during healing and usually resolves within weeks. Long-term numbness is uncommon.
This is not altered in any meaningful way. The procedure does not weaken the facial muscles responsible for expression. Instead, it creates a controlled attachment that produces the dimple effect during smiling.
These primarily relate to permanence. Most patients remain pleased with their decision, but because the procedure creates a lasting change, careful consideration beforehand is important.
A detailed written consent document outlining risks specific to your anatomy and medical history forms part of the consultation and consent process.
Transparent Pricing
What Dimple Creation Costs?
The cost of dimple creation surgery depends on whether one or both dimples are created, whether a cheek or chin dimple is requested, and whether the procedure is combined with another facial treatment. The ranges below are indicative. A personalised quotation is provided after consultation.
What Determines Where in the Range Your Case Falls?
- Whether one or both dimples are being created.
- Whether the procedure involves cheek dimples, a chin dimple, or both.
- Whether dimple creation is combined with another facial cosmetic procedure.
- The surgical time required and whether sedation is requested.
- The pre-operative assessment and structured follow-up programme.
What Is Included?
- The quoted dimple creation surgery cost includes the surgeon’s fee
- Local anaesthesia
- Procedure room charges
- Routine medications including antibiotics and antiseptic mouth rinses
- Follow-up appointments at week 1, week 4, and month 3
WHY THIS PRACTICE
Why Patients Choose This Practice for Dimple Creation?
- A board-certified plastic surgeon with international fellowship training in cosmetic surgery and extensive experience in facial aesthetic procedures.
- An intraoral approach for every dimple creation surgery, ensuring there is no visible scar on the face and no external evidence of surgery.
- Dimple placement based on your own facial anatomy and smile dynamics, marked while you smile in front of a mirror rather than relying on standardised measurements or generic templates.
- A philosophy focused on natural-looking dimple surgery, with careful attention to placement, depth, and facial balance so the result complements your existing features.
- A candid discussion about permanence, including the realistic possibilities and limitations of reversal, before any surgery is scheduled.
- The option of soft, subtle dimples or more defined dimples, with both styles explained in detail so you can make an informed decision rather than receiving a one-size-fits-all result.
- An ISAPS-accredited training centre, reflecting the same standards of planning, safety, and surgical precision used in surgeon education.
- A written surgical plan outlining the procedure, expected appearance, recovery, risks, follow-up schedule, and dimpleplasty cost before proceeding.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About About Dimple Creation
Dimple creation surgery cost typically ranges from INR 35,000 for a single cheek dimple to INR 90,000 for bilateral dimples (approximately USD 370 to USD 950). Chin dimple creation and combination procedures may cost more. A personalised written estimate is provided following consultation.
Yes. Dimpleplasty recreates the same anatomical attachment responsible for naturally occurring dimples. Once healing is complete, the dimple appears during smiling and facial expression in a way that is usually indistinguishable from a naturally occurring dimple.
Immediately after surgery, the dimple is commonly visible at rest because of swelling and the initial tension created by the suture. As healing progresses over several weeks, the dimple softens and generally becomes noticeable only when smiling. Patients with thinner cheek tissue may retain a subtle resting indentation.
Yes. Dimple creation surgery produces a permanent result. During healing, scar tissue replaces the dissolvable suture and permanently anchors the skin to the underlying muscle. The dimple remains present for life, although its appearance may evolve naturally with ageing and weight changes.
Reversal may be possible in selected cases, particularly during the early healing phase, but it cannot be guaranteed. Once the permanent scar attachment has formed, reversal becomes more complex and may not completely restore the original appearance. Dimpleplasty should therefore be approached as a permanent decision.
No. Dimple creation treatment at this practice is performed through a small incision inside the mouth. There are no external facial incisions and therefore no visible facial scars. The dimple itself is a planned facial feature rather than a scar.
Most patients return to work and social activities within three to five days after dimpleplasty. Initial swelling improves during the first week, while the dimple continues to soften and appear more natural over four to eight weeks. The final result is typically established by two to three months.
A soft diet is recommended for the first few days after surgery to protect the healing incision inside the cheek. Most patients gradually return to their normal diet within a week, depending on comfort and healing progress.
Dimple creation surgery involves very little pain. Local anaesthesia keeps the procedure comfortable, and recovery is usually limited to mild soreness inside the cheek for a few days. Most patients manage comfortably with standard pain medication.
There is no single ideal age for dimpleplasty. Most patients undergo the procedure after the age of 18, when they are able to make an informed decision about a permanent cosmetic change. There is no upper age limit provided overall health is suitable for surgery.
No. Dimple creation does not interfere with the muscles responsible for smiling or speaking. Temporary tightness may be noticed during the first few days of healing, but normal expression and speech return quickly. The procedure adds a dimple to the smile without changing how the smile functions.
THE FIRST CONSULTATION
What to Expect at Your First Consultation?
A consultation for dimple creation surgery with Dr Gupta typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes and includes:
- A discussion about your reasons for wanting a dimple and the type of appearance you hope to achieve.
- An assessment of your facial proportions, cheek tissue, smile dynamics, and any natural asymmetry.
- Live marking of the proposed dimple position while you smile in front of a mirror, ensuring the location is personalised to your facial movement.
- A discussion of design options, including soft versus defined dimples, single versus bilateral dimples, and cheek versus chin dimples.
- An honest conversation about permanence, including the realities of reversal and the importance of certainty before proceeding.
- A detailed explanation of recovery, potential risks, and the follow-up schedule.
- A written quotation outlining the anticipated dimpleplasty cost and treatment plan.
You will never be pressured into making an immediate decision. The consultation is designed to help you understand your options fully and decide in your own time whether the procedure is right for you.
Book a Consultation to Understand Your Options
A consultation with Dr Gupta is the beginning of a conversation, not a transaction.
