Procedure time
Often about 30 minutes for cheek dimple creation, usually in an outpatient setting.
Quick facts
What most people want to know first
Anesthesia
Usually performed with local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia.
Typical cost
Commonly cited U.S. pricing is around $1,500 to $3,500, but local fees vary.
Recovery
Many patients return to work within about a week and to full activity in roughly two weeks.
Definition
What is dimple surgery?
Dimple surgery is the plain-English term many searchers use. The medical and cosmetic surgery term is dimpleplasty. Both phrases describe the same idea: creating a deliberate indentation in the cheek so that a dimple appears when the face animates, especially during a smile.
Natural dimples are often associated with the way facial muscle attaches to the skin. Dimpleplasty aims to mimic that effect by creating a controlled connection between inner cheek tissue and the deeper skin. The result is meant to look like a natural smile dimple rather than a surface scar.
Many people search for dimple surgery, while surgeons and medical sources often use the term dimpleplasty. Both terms refer to the same cosmetic procedure.
Procedure
How dimple surgery works
Exact technique varies by surgeon, but cheek dimple surgery is commonly performed through the inside of the mouth. A small amount of inner cheek tissue may be removed or reshaped, and sutures are used to join the deeper cheek tissue to the underside of the skin. That internal attachment creates the inward pull that forms the dimple.
Because the work is usually done through the inside of the cheek, there is often no visible external scar. Placement matters a great deal. Surgeons typically mark the face in advance so the dimple position fits the patient’s facial shape, smile pattern, and desired look.
Dimple surgery vs. dimpleplasty
These terms are usually used to describe the same procedure. Dimple surgery is the plain-English phrase, while dimpleplasty is the more technical medical term.
Timing
How long does dimple surgery take?
Dimple surgery is usually promoted as a short facial procedure. Many surgeons describe cheek dimpleplasty as taking around 30 minutes, though the appointment may be longer once markings, anesthesia, photos, and post-op instructions are included.
It is often performed in-office or in an outpatient setting, and local anesthesia is common. For people researching the topic, this combination of short procedure time and limited downtime is one of the main reasons the treatment attracts interest.
Pricing
Dimple surgery cost
Cost is one of the first questions most people ask about dimple surgery. Current consumer-facing references commonly cite a U.S. range of about $1,500 to $3,500 for dimpleplasty, though pricing can go higher depending on surgeon experience, city, facility, anesthesia, and whether one or two dimples are created.
The total price can vary for several reasons, including the surgeon’s experience, geographic market, technique used, consultation fees, follow-up care, and whether the procedure is combined with other facial treatments.
Usually includes
- Consultation or pre-op assessment
- Procedure fee
- Local anesthesia
- Follow-up visits
Can change the price
- One dimple vs. two
- Surgeon and market
- Facility or office setting
- Technique and aftercare
Healing
Dimple surgery recovery
Recovery after dimple surgery is usually described as manageable, but that does not mean it is trivial. Swelling, soreness, and an initially deeper-than-expected dimple are common during early healing. Some surgeons recommend mouth rinses, reduced mouth motion, and a softer or liquid diet for the first phase of recovery.
Recovery usually makes the most sense when broken into stages:
Days 1–7
Swelling, tenderness, and a very pronounced dimple can be normal. Oral hygiene instructions matter.
Week 1
Many patients are able to return to work within about a week, depending on healing and comfort.
Weeks 2+
Full activity often resumes around two weeks. The dimple usually starts to look more natural over time.
Weeks 4–6
It is common for the dimple to soften. Early results can look stronger than the long-term outcome.
Outcome
Results and permanence
Many board-certified plastic surgeons describe cheek dimpleplasty as a permanent cosmetic result. At the same time, published literature shows that outcomes can vary by technique. Some methods create durable dimples, while some suture-based approaches may soften or fade with time.
In practice, dimple surgery is usually performed with the goal of a lasting result, but the exact long-term appearance depends on technique, anatomy, healing, and placement. Both surgeon guidance and published literature matter when setting realistic expectations.
Safety
Risks and complications of dimple surgery
Dimple surgery is a cosmetic procedure, not a casual beauty hack. Published literature and surgeon guidance describe potential complications including swelling, hematoma, infection, asymmetry, bleeding, and rare injury to the facial nerve or Stensen duct. Another real issue is dissatisfaction with the depth or placement of the final dimple.
Although the procedure is often presented as minor and is usually well tolerated, it still requires a proper consultation, informed consent, and careful surgeon selection.
This page is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Anyone considering
dimple surgery should discuss risks, suitability, and expected results with a qualified surgeon.
Candidates
Who might be a candidate for dimpleplasty?
In general, the strongest candidates are healthy adults with realistic expectations who want a small but lasting facial change and who understand that placement, depth, and healing can influence the final look. Because many surgeons describe the result as permanent or difficult to reverse, candidates should be very sure they want the change before moving forward.
Anyone considering the procedure should choose a board-certified plastic surgeon, review before-and-after examples carefully, and discuss recovery, symmetry, permanence, and revision options during consultation.
FAQ
Dimple surgery FAQ
What is dimple surgery?
Dimple surgery, also called dimpleplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that creates a cheek dimple by joining the inside cheek tissue to the deeper skin so the area pulls inward when you smile.
How long does dimple surgery take?
The procedure is commonly performed in about 30 minutes under local anesthesia, though the exact time depends on whether one or both cheeks are treated and on the surgeon’s technique.
Is dimpleplasty permanent?
Many surgeons describe dimpleplasty results as permanent, but outcomes can vary by technique and healing response. Some approaches can soften or fade over time, so this should be discussed carefully with the surgeon before treatment.
How much does dimple surgery cost?
Commonly cited U.S. cost ranges are around $1,500 to $3,500, but fees vary by surgeon, city, facility, and whether one or two dimples are created.
What is recovery like after dimple surgery?
Recovery is usually straightforward. Swelling and soreness are common early on, many patients return to work within about a week, and full activity often resumes in roughly two weeks. The dimples may look deeper than expected during early healing.
Are there scars after dimple surgery?
Cheek dimple surgery is often performed through the inside of the mouth, so there is usually no visible external facial scar.
Sources
References and further reading
These sources offer additional detail on the procedure, recovery, risks, and cost.
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: The ins and outs of creating dimples with plastic surgery
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Dimpleplasty: For the love of dimples!
- Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery: Simple Technique for Facial Dimple
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open: New Landmarks for the Surgical Creation of Dimples Based on Facial Form
- CareCredit: How Much Does Dimple Surgery (Dimpleplasty) Cost?