Dimple surgery, which is also known as dimple creation procedure or dimpleplasty, is a simple aesthetic operation that creates dimples on your face by manipulating the cheek tissue. Vantage Clinic provides world-class dimple surgery services in Istanbul, Turkey.
Published by: Vantage Editors
Updated: Sep, 2026
Dimples are small permanent indentations in the cheeks. These indentations can naturally occur on some people’s faces because of irregular attachments of the facial muscles. Such behaviour is an inherited trait. As they are considered a unique and adorable feature by most people, dimples have become a desirable look. Not only they are viewed as cute but also, they are a sign of fortune in some cultures.
If you were not lucky enough to inherit dimples but have always wanted to have them, a dimple surgery at Vantage Clinic can simply give you what you want. You will experience this quick outpatient procedure under local anesthesia; since it uses dissolvable sutures, it is minimally invasive with no visible scarring! Read on to find more about dimpleplasty.
Because dimpleplasty is such an outpatient procedure, it doesn't require general anaesthesia. Your doctor will inject a lidocaine solution, often combined with a vasoconstrictor like epinephrine - into your cheek's inner mucosa to numb the area. It is enough to create a painless experience.
The entire dimpleplasty operation takes about 20 minutes during which the anaesthetic shows its effect and your surgeon completes the operation. What's more, it creates permanent dimples in such a short time.
You can go home on the same day after you have had some rest in a post-operative recovery area. Because the stitches used during the operation are usually dissolvable, you won’t need to schedule another appointment after your surgery.
In order to create permanent cheek dimples, the surgeon will first identify and mark the precise locations based on the initial consultation and your preferences. Using a biopsy punch tool, the surgeon makes a small, circular incision in the inner lining of the cheek, also known as the buccal mucosa. They then pass a dissolvable suture through the underlying buccinator muscle and the dermis of the cheek skin to create an adhesive bond that produces the characteristic dimple when you smile. The depth and prominence of the dimples can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the suture to allow for customisation and a natural-looking result. As the sutures are absorbable, they do not need to be removed, and the incision heals without leaving a visible scar. You can apply a cold press on the swollen areas to help with recovery. As typical, you will be able to resume normal daily routines shortly after the low-cost dimpleplasty in Turkey.
There are not many requirements to be suitable for dimple surgery. Generally, you should be in good health and over the age of 18.
If you are a smoker, you should be able to quit or take a break from smoking for an easier recovery period.
A suitable candidate for dimple surgery should have realistic expectations.
Several intraoral dimpleplasty incision techniques have been developed to create natural-looking cheek dimples. The main idea behind the procedure is to form a gentle buccinator muscle adhesion to the dermis by making a small oral mucosa incision inside the cheek. This connection allows the skin to gently pull inward when you smile, creating that charming, natural dimple effect.
Here are some of the main things to think about when it comes to the surgery:
While it is uncommon, infection can happen. This can cause swollen, red areas on the face, called cheek abscesses. These appear about 10 days after surgery and may need to be drained. This can lead to noticeable scarring.
| Complication | Frequency / Risk |
|---|---|
| Infection / Abscess | Rare; requires drainage and may lead to scarring |
| Oral Actinomycosis | Very rare; needs surgical excision to prevent disfigurement |
| Asymmetry | Moderate; revision surgery may be needed |
| Over-/Under-correction | ~7.7% require reoperation based on large patient study |
| Stensen’s Duct Injury | Rare with proper technique, but risk exists |
| Nerve Injury / Hematoma | Rare; minimized via careful surgical execution |
Dimple asymmetry is often caused by differences in how deep the dimples are and how strongly they stick together, rather than by differences in where they are placed. A medical study indicate that revision facial dimple creation surgery may be reqired for asymmetrical dimple appearance.
The same study with 2,048 patients showed that around 7.7% of them needed more surgery. 49% of cases were due to undercorrection, 38.9% were due to the dimple disappearing, and 5.6% were due to overcorrection. In addition, 3.1% of people had stitches taken out because of an infection. Another 3.1% had them removed after changing their minds.
Have been considering a trip to Turkey? Add dimple surgery to your list! With its large number of qualified surgeons and low prices, Turkey is the perfect place to get your dimple surgery.
The dimpleplasty cost in Turkey is much lower than in other European countries. Don’t worry though, lower cost does not mean lower quality. Our experienced aesthetic surgeons at Vantage Clinic Istanbul deliver perfect results and give you the look you have been dreaming of.
The average dimpleplasty cost in Turkey is around $1,000.
After the surgery, your body connects the cheek muscle to the skin in a natural way. Even after the stitches dissolve, this connection stays in place like a tiny internal scar; so the dimple remains visible when you smile. That’s what makes the result last a long time.
In preparation for your simple surgery, you should stop smoking and drinking as these substances might affect your general health and recovery period.
Because dimple surgery is a one-day operation, you won’t need to bring a change of clothes but it is a good idea to wear loose and comfortable clothing. If you have any mouth or tongue piercings, make sure to remove them prior to surgery.
Your surgeon might instruct you to stop taking certain medications such as ibuprofen, supplements, or blood thinning drugs.
Usually, the recovery period after a dimple surgery takes 7 to 10 days. However, you will be able to go back to your daily life the day after your surgery. Avoid doing any activities that can cause harm to your face during the recovery period. You will need to regularly rinse your mouth with an antiseptic solution during this period. Also, your surgeon might prescribe you some antibiotics.
It is essential to take care of your body after an operation to make sure you heal well:
Bao Y, Gu B, Li Q, et al. A new simple technique for making facial dimples. PubMed, 2007.
Gaba S, Gaba S, Singh S. Anatomical basis of dimple creation – A new technique: Our experience of 100 cases. PMC (National Institutes of Health), 2012.
Al-Qahtani M, Al-Otaibi L, Al-Nfouri N. Analysis of the clinical and aesthetic results of facial dimple creation surgery. PubMed, 2021.
Shaikh MS, Shaikh S, Somasundaram P. Dimple creation surgery technique: A review of the literature and technique note. ResearchGate, 2012.
Wolfswinkel EM, Koshy JC, Kaufman Y, et al. Suture technique for dimple creation: Review of 100 cases. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2015.
Boo-Chai K. The parotid duct in relation to the face lift and dimple creation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1963.
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