Dimples are considered a sign of youth and beauty, and they accentuate the attractiveness of a smile in a way that no other feature really does. Even though the cause of dimple is a defect in the muscle, in many cultures it is seen as a highly attractive trait and increases the perception of expressions and facial beauty.
Dimple creation, also called dimpleplasty, is a short surgical procedure that creates a natural-looking dimple where one did not exist before, so when you smile, it appears in just the way you have always imagined it would
30 minutes
Local only
7 to 10 days
After 6–8 weeks
Mostly dimples are hereditary in nature. They occur naturally when there is a defect in the cheek musculature or abnormal insertion of facial musculature. The skin in the defect gets wedged into the connective tissue, creating dimples in the cheeks on smiling. Dimpleplasty is a surgical procedure to create dimple on the face artificially to enhance the facial attractiveness and smile
This is a relatively simple procedure and can be performed under local anaesthesia as a day care procedure. Dimples can be created by a simple procedure where in special threads strategically placed behind the corner of the mouth. One may be able to resume most normal activities following the procedure. Since the procedure is performed inside the mouth, there is no obvious tell tale sign of surgery from outside.
Mild pain and some difficulty chewing may last for 3 to 4 days. Some swelling is normal. Rarely, the area can have bleeding, infection, scar formation at the operated area, or formation of a small foreign body granuloma around the suture. These are uncommon and easily managed when they do happen.
You may want to consider dimple creation if any of these sound familiar:
This is the conversation that matters most at consultation. There is no fixed right or wrong position for a dimple, the right position is the one that suits your face, your smile shape, and how your cheek muscles move.
Some people want a dimple in the classic position, halfway between the corner of the mouth and the cheekbone. Others want it lower, near the corner of the smile. Some want one cheek only, to mirror a dimple they already have on the other side. Some want both. Whatever you have in mind, Dr. Vasu will mark several options on your face during consultation, and ask you to smile in the mirror so you can see how each position would actually look on you before any decision is made.
This is also when we discuss size and depth. A subtle dimple that only appears with a wide smile, or a slightly deeper one that shows even when you smile gently. Both are possible, and the choice is yours.
A 30 to 45 minute conversation, in person or virtual. We talk through what you want, examine your face and how it moves when you smile, mark the position together, and explain how the procedure would work for you. You leave knowing what to expect and what it would cost, in writing. No pressure to book.
Once you have decided, we prepare you properly. Basic blood work if needed. We walk you through what to expect on the day, what to bring, and how to plan your meals for the first week (since you will be on a liquid diet for 5 to 7 days). By the time the day of surgery arrives, you should feel ready, not anxious.
Performed in the day care setting under local anaesthesia. The area inside the cheek is numbed completely. The procedure itself takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You feel pressure but no pain. Most patients walk out within an hour of the procedure ending.
Mild swelling and some discomfort are normal for the first few days. Your face may look slightly puffy on the operated side for a few days. Painkillers and antibiotics are prescribed as needed. You go home the same day and manage the rest of the recovery from there.
It is very important to follow post-procedure care to ensure proper recovery. Since the mouth is naturally a source of bacteria, gentle care matters. An antiseptic mouthwash is used a couple of times a day to keep the operated area as germ-free as possible. Antibiotics may be prescribed to support faster healing. A liquid diet is followed strictly for 5 to 7 days, so the incision inside the mouth heals undisturbed. You will also be asked to avoid excessive smiling, laughing, or expressive mouth movement, this restraint matters because the suture and the underlying tissues need quiet time to bond properly.
Most patients return to normal activities. You may notice the dimple looks slightly deeper than expected during this phase, even when you are not smiling. This is intentional. Dr. Vasu deliberately over-tightens the dimple slightly during surgery, to account for how the tissues will relax during healing. The restraint on excessive smiling and laughing continues through week 3, since the bond between the muscle and skin is still forming.
The dimple starts to settle into its natural position. It becomes less visible at rest and only appears when you smile. By week 4, you can return to normal facial expressions. Over the next month, the dimple continues to soften and integrate, becoming more natural-looking with each passing week.
This is when most patients first feel like their result is showing. The shape is settling, the swelling has come down significantly, and photographs from this point onward genuinely reflect the new nose
By around 2 to 3 months, the dimple has fully settled. It looks completely natural, only visible when you smile, just like a hereditary dimple would. The shape and depth become a permanent part of your face.
Dimple creation is a small procedure but an aesthetically precise one. The position of the dimple, the depth, the angle of the suture, all of these decisions made before the first incision determine whether the result looks like a natural feature of your face or something that does not quite belong. So it is worth knowing who you are trusting with the decision.
MS in General Surgery from AIIMS New Delhi. MCh in Plastic Surgery from NIMS Hyderabad. Fellowship in Aesthetic Surgery at the Dr. Javier de Benito Institute, Barcelona. Fellowship in Hair Transplantation at Knudsen Clinic, Sydney. Specialist training in facial aesthetic surgery across two continents.
Over 30 years in plastic and aesthetic surgery. Thousands of procedures performed personally across face, body, breast, and reconstructive work. Dimple creation is regularly performed in the practice, often for patients who have been thinking about it quietly for years before finally booking a consultation.
A consultation here unfolds in its own time. We listen to what brought you in. We understand the change you are hoping for. We mark the position on your face, ask you to smile in the mirror, and let you decide what feels right. If you decide to go ahead, our team prepares you properly, including financial counselling so there are no surprises, and gets you ready for the day.
This is the approach because the aim has always been the same, results that look like the patient, just on their best day.
Across every procedure he performs, Dr. Vasu is particularly known for how he handles scars. Incisions are placed where they are least visible. Fine sutures close the skin cleanly. Months are spent paying attention to how the scar settles, long after the surgery is done.
For dimple creation, this means the entire procedure happens inside the mouth, so there is no visible scar on the face at all. The small incision inside the cheek heals quickly and is invisible from the outside, even on close inspection.
Real patients. Real repairs. All photographs published with written consent.
Patient 1 · Female, 34 3 months post
Patient 2 · Female, 34 3 months post
Patient 3 · Female, 34 3 months post
Individual results vary. Photographs are representative, not guaranteed outcomes. Consultation required to assess suitability.
Dimple creation, also called dimpleplasty, is a short surgical procedure that creates a natural-looking dimple on the cheek where there was none before. A small suture is placed inside the cheek that gently anchors the skin to the underlying muscle, so a soft indentation forms when you smile, just like a natural dimple does. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia and takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
Yes. Surgical dimples are designed to be permanent. Once the scar tissue forms between the cheek muscle and the overlying skin (over the first few months), the dimple becomes a permanent feature of your face, only visible when you smile, just like a natural dimple. Following the post-procedure instructions carefully, particularly the 3 weeks of restricted facial movement, is what ensures the result lasts.
The suture inside your cheek is creating a permanent bond between the muscle and the skin. Smiling and laughing pull on this suture before the scar tissue has fully formed, which can loosen the connection or shift the dimple’s position. Three weeks of restraint gives the bond time to form fully, and is the single most important thing you can do for a long-lasting result.
Not very. The area is fully numbed with local anaesthesia, so you feel only pressure during the procedure. The first 2 to 3 days afterwards may have mild soreness and some difficulty chewing, easily managed with simple painkillers. By the end of the first week, the discomfort has settled.
The procedure itself takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You arrive, the area is numbed, the surgery is done, and you can leave within an hour. There is no overnight stay required.
No. The entire procedure is done through a small incision inside the cheek, not on the face. There is no scar visible from the outside. The internal incision heals quickly, usually within 1 to 2 weeks, and is invisible from any angle.
Yes, the position is your choice. At consultation we mark several possible positions on your face, ask you to smile in the mirror, and let you decide which placement looks right on you. We also discuss the size and depth you want, a subtle dimple that only appears with a wide smile, or a slightly deeper one that shows even with a gentle smile.
In the first few weeks, the dimple looks deeper than its final form, even when you are not smiling. This is normal. The dimple gradually settles into its natural position over 2 to 3 months. By then, it is visible only when you smile, just like a hereditary dimple.
Yes, although reversal is rarely needed. If a patient is unhappy with the result, the suture can be removed in a small follow-up procedure, and the face returns to how it looked before. This option is part of why dimple creation is a low-risk surgical decision.
Cost varies based on whether you are getting one dimple or two, the surgeon’s experience, and the facility. A transparent written treatment plan with full cost breakdown is provided after consultation. No pricing is committed before you have been examined in person or virtually, and there are no hidden charges.
Yes, regularly. Many patients travel from Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and internationally. Virtual consultations are available before you book travel. Coordination on scheduling, accommodation guidance, and follow-up means most patients can complete the procedure and the bulk of the recovery in a single trip.
Most patients who consider dimple creation think about it quietly for years before they finally book a consultation. There is no right timeline. Whatever brought you here, a long-held wish for a dimple, a dimple that disappeared as you grew up, or simply curiosity about what is possible, we will help you understand whether the procedure is right for you and what the result would actually look like on your face.
If you decide to go ahead, our team walks alongside you. That includes financial counselling so the cost side is clear from the start, and proper preparation for the day. You leave the consultation with everything you need to decide in your own time.