What dimple creation is
Dimple creation, or dimpleplasty, makes a dimple through a small incision with sutures inside your cheek, where each dimple is made. There is no incision on the skin of the face.
A small amount of tissue is removed on the inside of the cheek, and a permanent stitch placed deep in the cheek joins the underside of the skin to the cheek muscle, so a dimple shows when you smile; the incision inside the cheek is closed with dissolvable stitches.
For the first weeks the dimple may look deeper than it will be, and may show even when you are not smiling. This softens as you heal.
Every procedure is performed at True Surgical Center, our AAAHC-accredited surgical center in Beverly Hills. About True Surgical Center
Who it is for
Your surgeon tells you at your consultation whether dimple creation fits your goals, and says so when another approach would serve you better.
Dimple Creation (Dimpleplasty) in Beverly Hills: the essentials
- Where
- True Surgical Center, the AAAHC-accredited surgical center at 150 S. Rodeo Drive, Suite 220, Beverly Hills.
- Anesthesia
- Local anesthesia with MAC (monitored anesthesia care) and IV sedation, given and watched throughout by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Someone takes you home or to your hotel and stays nearby the first day.
- Sutures
- Dissolvable stitches inside the cheek (about 2 weeks), and a permanent stitch deep in the cheek that holds the dimple.
- Eating
- A regular diet from day one; rinse after every meal with salt water or an antiseptic mouthwash. Avoid crunchy, hard foods in the first week.
- Brushing
- Brush your front teeth only at first, and keep your toothbrush away from the insides of your cheeks.
- First-week visit
- You see your surgeon and our physician assistant at your 1-week visit, on Day 7.
- Exercise
- No bending, lifting or straining for 3 weeks. Light cardio may resume at 2 weeks. Strenuous exercise: typically 3 weeks, once your surgeon clears you.
- Final result
- The dimple settles as the swelling goes down; full healing may take up to 3 months.
Every plan is personal, so your surgeon confirms each of these for you at your consultation. Recovery, week by week
What happens on the day
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01Before you go in
Your surgeon marks where each dimple will sit with you at your consultation, and you follow the Pre-Op General Instructions.
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02Making the dimple
Each dimple is made through a small incision inside your cheek, closed with dissolvable sutures; a permanent stitch placed deep in the cheek holds the dimple.
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03Going home
Sleep and rest on your back with your head raised on 2 to 3 pillows for 2 weeks, ice 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, for 5 days to a week, and keep your tongue away from the incision.
Preparing for surgery · Out-of-town patients · Post-operative care guide
Recovery, week by week
This comes from the written instructions our patients receive before surgery, so it changes only when those instructions change.
Swelling or bruising in your cheeks is normal, and numbness, tingling, tightness and dull pain improve as you heal; on Days 3 and 4 the swelling may increase. Rinse after every meal. You may shower the day after surgery if you had no other procedures. 1-week visit on Day 7.
The stitches inside the cheek dissolve within about 2 weeks; the deep permanent stitch stays in place. Expect some cheek swelling for the first few weeks. Light cardio may resume at 2 weeks. Strenuous exercise: typically 3 weeks, once your surgeon clears you. No alcohol until 3 weeks.
The dimple softens and settles as the swelling goes down. Tightness and numbness may last 2 to 3 months, and full healing may take up to 3 months.
Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure means call 911. For anything else that worries you, call us at (424) 363-4112, day or night. When to call us right away
Dimple Creation (Dimpleplasty) risks, and how we keep you safe
Every procedure carries risk. Your surgeon goes through the risks that apply to your plan at your consultation, and each one is written in the consent you read and sign. For dimple creation, the consent lists:
- Asymmetry. The two dimples may differ in depth or position.
- Depth. A dimple may fade over time, be deeper than planned, or show at rest, and a revision may be needed.
- Infection Inside the Mouth. Infection inside the mouth is possible.
- Nerve Injury. Weakness from injury to a branch of the facial nerve is possible; it may be temporary or permanent.
- Lump Inside the Cheek. A lasting lump or cyst inside the cheek is possible.
- Salivary Duct. Injury to the salivary (parotid) duct is possible.
- Permanent Stitch. A permanent stitch is placed deep in the cheek to hold the dimple; it can sometimes be felt, cause irritation or infection, or need to be removed.
Risks of any operation
- Bleeding. Bleeding during or after surgery is possible. A collection of blood under the skin (hematoma) may need drainage or a return to the operating room, and severe bleeding may need emergency treatment or a blood transfusion.
- Infection. Infection is possible and may need antibiotics, drainage or further surgery.
- Bruising and Swelling. Bruising and swelling are expected. They may last several weeks, and swelling or discoloration may persist longer.
- Scarring. Every incision or entry point leaves a permanent scar. A scar may be raised, widened, darker, lighter or more visible than expected, and takes at least 3 months to mature.
- Keloid or Raised Scar. Itching, thickening, pain or a growth along any incision can be the first sign of a keloid (a thick, raised scar). Let us know right away so it can be injected with a steroid to stop the keloid from forming. A keloid is more likely if you have had one before and may need further injections or treatment.
- Change in Skin Sensation. Numbness, tingling or a change in skin sensation around the treated areas is possible; it may be temporary or permanent.
- Delayed Healing. Delayed healing or separation of an incision is possible and much more likely with nicotine in any form.
- Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions to tape, sutures, skin cleansers, latex or medications are possible.
- Blood Clots. Blood clots in the legs or lungs (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) are possible and more likely with longer surgery; your surgical team uses the clot-prevention plan chosen for you.
- Anesthesia. Risks of anesthesia and sedation are possible; the anesthesia provider reviews them with you separately.
- Pain. Pain after surgery is expected and should settle over several days; pain that lasts longer is possible.
- Result and Revision. A result that does not meet your expectations is possible: healing differs between people, no result is guaranteed, and a revision may be advised, with the fees described in your patient policy.
- Serious Complications. Serious complications, including death, are possible with any surgery or anesthesia.
- Heart and Lung Problems. Heart or lung problems, such as pneumonia or an irregular heartbeat, are possible after surgery and anesthesia.
- Medication Side Effects. Side effects of the medications used during and after surgery, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness or trouble urinating, are possible.
- Injury to Deeper Structures. Injury to deeper structures, such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles or glands, is possible.
- Persistent Sutures. A deeper stitch may work its way to the surface and need to be removed.
When to call us right away · Before & after gallery · Request a consultation
Dimple Creation (Dimpleplasty) FAQ
Surgery that makes a dimple through a small incision with sutures inside the cheek, with no incision on the skin of the face.
For the first weeks the dimple may look deeper than it will be, and may show even when you are not smiling; this softens as you heal. The consent notes that a dimple may fade over time, be deeper than planned or show at rest, and a revision may be needed.
Yes. Eat a regular diet from day one, rinse after every meal with salt water or an antiseptic mouthwash, and avoid crunchy, hard foods in the first week.
Swelling in the cheeks for the first few weeks, a 1-week visit on Day 7, stitches inside the cheek that dissolve within about 2 weeks (a permanent stitch deep in the cheek holds the dimple), light cardio at 2 weeks and strenuous exercise typically at 3 weeks. Full healing may take up to 3 months.
The consent you read and sign lists these possible complications: two dimples that differ in depth or position; a dimple that fades over time, is deeper than planned or shows at rest, which may need a revision; infection inside the mouth; weakness from injury to a branch of the facial nerve, which may be temporary or permanent; a lasting lump or cyst inside the cheek; and injury to the salivary (parotid) duct. It also lists the risks of any operation, including bleeding, infection, blood clots and the risks of anesthesia. Your surgeon reviews each one with you.
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Schedule your dimple creation consultation
Every consultation is conducted personally by Dr. Truesdale. We respond same-day, Monday-Friday. International patients: WhatsApp (424) 363-4112.
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