Deutsch
Español
Français
العربية
Română
Русский
Dimple creation (dimpleplasty) in Istanbul
For adults who would like a cheek dimple when they smile. This page explains the operation, recovery and risks, and how limited the evidence on long-term results still is.
- Operation time Short; confirmed at your examination
- Hospital stay None; you go home the same day
- Time in Istanbul Around 7 days; less only if your surgeon agrees
- Back to work Usually quick; ask your surgeon for your case
What is dimple creation surgery?
Dimple creation (dimpleplasty) is a small operation that forms a dimple in the cheek, designed to show when you smile. Through a cut of about 5 mm inside the mouth, a little cheek muscle is thinned and the underside of the skin is stitched to the muscle. It is done under local anaesthesia, with no cut on the face. The dimple is visible straight away, even at rest, and softens over the following weeks to months. Evidence on how long surgical dimples last is limited.
What it can do
- Create a dimple on one or both cheeks that shows mainly when you smile
- Be positioned to suit your face shape and smile lines
- Be done under local anaesthesia, working from inside the mouth
What it cannot do
- Promise how long the dimple will last; long-term evidence is limited
- Copy someone else's dimple exactly
- Rule out a second operation: 7.7% needed one in the largest series
Is it right for you?
Dimple creation is for healthy adults who accept that it is a small operation with uncertain long-term behaviour.
Usually a good fit if
- You would like a dimple when you smile and are in good health
- Your mouth, teeth and gums are healthy
- You can keep up careful mouth care while you heal
- You accept that the dimple may soften, fade or need adjusting
Better to wait or consider alternatives if
- You tend to form keloid scars
- You have scarring in the mid-face from injury or tumour surgery
- You have an infection in your mouth or teeth
- You want an exact copy of someone else's dimple
- You are under 18
Techniques
Published methods fall into three groups, all working from inside the mouth.
Stitch technique
A stitch passed from inside the mouth ties the underside of the skin to the cheek muscle. A small series found it easy to reproduce, but whether a stitch alone holds a dimple over time is debated.
Best for
People who accept the open question on durability.
Muscle thinning with skin-to-muscle stitching
Through a cut of about 5 mm, a small area of cheek muscle is thinned and the skin is stitched to the muscle. A 2025 review favours this approach; the dimple is visible immediately and softens as it heals.
Best for
The approach a 2025 review recommends.
Punch technique
A tiny core of tissue is removed and the area stitched. It is described in reviews, with less outcome data.
Best for
Selected cases, at your surgeon's judgement.
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker
Specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
- Specialist training: Dokuz Eylül University
- Medical degree: Trakya University
- Health tourism authorization: ST-2657
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
How Dr. İlker approaches dimple creation
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, trained at Dokuz Eylül University. Dimple creation is a small operation, but it takes place among delicate structures: the salivary duct and branches of the facial nerve run through the cheek.
A dimple is a matter of millimetres and proportion, so planning starts with how your face moves when you smile. The limits of the evidence, including the chance that a dimple fades or needs adjusting, are part of that conversation.
- Smile analysis The position is chosen with you, in a mirror and in photos, and one or both sides are agreed.
- Anatomy first Knowing where the salivary duct and facial nerve branches run is the basis of safety.
- Examination before a date Mouth health, scarring tendency and expectations are checked in person, and the risks are explained before you consent.
The operation, step by step
A short outpatient procedure under local anaesthesia; ask your surgeon how long it takes in their hands.
-
Consultation and marking
Your smile is analysed and the dimple point marked; methods for choosing it vary between surgeons.
-
Local anaesthesia
The cheek is numbed from inside the mouth.
-
A small incision inside the cheek
A cut of about 5 mm is made on the inner cheek, with care for the salivary duct and facial nerve branches.
-
Shaping the dimple
A little muscle is thinned and the underside of the skin is stitched to it; bleeding is controlled with fine cautery.
-
Closing and going home
The incision is closed with dissolving stitches. You go home the same day, usually with a short course of antibiotics.
Your days in Istanbul
This is a short local procedure, so the stay is mainly about being examined beforehand and checked afterwards. ASPS advises waiting 7–10 days after facial procedures before flying; your surgeon may clear you sooner.
-
Examination and marking
Before surgery
UK guidance (BAAPS) suggests being examined in person at least 48 hours before surgery, so the position can be decided without rushing.
-
Swelling and mouth care
The first days
Expect mild pain and swelling. Keep your mouth clean, avoid hard food and skip sunbathing, alcohol and swimming.
-
A final check
Before you fly home
BAAPS recommends a check by your operating surgeon before you leave. Ask whom to contact if the cheek swells later.
Recovery, day by day
The dimple appears at once and is visible even at rest at first; it softens as you heal. Exact recovery times are not established in the literature, so your surgeon's advice comes first.
- Day 1
Visible at rest
Expect some swelling and mild pain. Take any antibiotics as prescribed and keep your mouth clean.
- Days 2–3
Swelling
Avoid hard foods that could strain the incision. A haematoma is rare.
- Week 1
Settling
Swelling eases. Watch for painful swelling or discharge, which can signal infection.
- Week 2
Softening begins
The dimple starts to soften; a check-up is sensible around now.
- Weeks 3–4
More natural at rest
The dent at rest lessens and shows more clearly when you smile.
- Months 2–3
Close to final
The dimple nears its final look. Tell your surgeon if it has faded a lot.
- Month 6
Review
A dimple that is too shallow, too deep or has gone may be reconsidered for surgery.
- Month 12
Long term
Evidence on how dimples behave over the years is limited.
Contact us straight away if you notice
- Painful swelling in the cheek that keeps increasing
- A fever
- Pus or discharge inside the mouth at the incision
- A lump inside the cheek that does not settle, even months later
In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Aftercare at home
- Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed.
- Rinse with the mouthwash you are given and brush gently.
- Keep your tongue and fingers away from the incision.
- Choose soft foods for the first days.
- Do not smoke while you heal.
Risks and how they are reduced
Serious complications are uncommon, but the evidence comes from case series rather than trials. In the largest, 2,048 patients at one clinic, 7.7% had a second operation.
Careful positioning, knowledge of the duct and nerve anatomy, a healthy mouth beforehand, a short course of antibiotics and good mouth care reduce these risks. Ask before surgery how a shallow or faded dimple would be handled.
| Risk | How often |
|---|---|
Swelling and mild painExpected in the first days. | Common |
Dimple too shallow, too deep or fadingAbout half of the repeat operations in the large series were for a dimple that was too shallow, and about four in ten because it disappeared. | Common |
AsymmetryThe two sides may not match exactly. | Varies |
InfectionSeen in 2 of 23 patients in a small series; in the large series, 5 had the stitches removed because of infection. Rarely, it appears months later as a lump with discharge. | Varies |
HaematomaA collection of blood in the cheek, reported as a minor problem in a small series. | Rare |
Duct or nerve injury, abscessThe salivary duct and facial nerve branches run through the cheek; abscess and foreign-body reaction are rare. | Rare |
Results and how long they last
The dimple is deepest at first and visible even when your face is relaxed. Over weeks to months it softens and shows mainly when you smile, which is the intended look.
Permanence is the open question. Dimples are intended to last, but long-term follow-up has not been published; in the largest series, about 3% of all patients needed another operation because the dimple disappeared.
How long it lasts: Intended to be long-lasting, but evidence is limited and some dimples fade.
With any surgical or interventional procedure, results vary from person to person. We recommend a detailed consultation with your doctor before any procedure.
Before and after
Before and after photos are shared only with patients’ written consent. You can ask to see examples during your consultation.
Before and afterQuestions to ask at your consultation
Take these to any surgeon you see — including us.
- Are you a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, and where did you train?
- Which technique do you use, and why?
- How do you choose the exact position of the dimple?
- What happens if the dimple fades or looks uneven?
- Can it be removed if I change my mind?
- Where will the procedure take place?
- Whom do I contact if my cheek swells after I fly home?
What shapes your plan and quote
After Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker has examined you, you receive a personal written plan that states what is included. It depends on:
- One dimple or two
- Whether it is combined with another procedure, such as a lip lift
- Medicines, such as antibiotics and mouthwash
- Check-ups during your stay
We do not publish prices: every plan is personal and is written for you after your assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Is dimple creation permanent?
It is intended to last, but the evidence is limited. In a series of 2,048 patients, about 3% needed a second operation because the dimple disappeared, and long-term follow-up was not reported. Some softening as it heals is normal and intended.
How is dimpleplasty done?
Through a cut of about 5 mm inside the mouth, a small part of the cheek muscle is thinned and the underside of the skin is stitched to it. It takes place under local anaesthesia, and there is no cut on the face.
Why can I see my dimple when I am not smiling?
That is normal at first. A new dimple is visible at rest in the early weeks and softens as it heals, becoming more noticeable when you smile. If it still looks very deep at a later check, ask your surgeon to review it.
How long is the recovery after dimple surgery?
No authoritative source sets exact times. Swelling is usually most noticeable in the first days, and the dimple takes weeks to settle. Your surgeon will advise when you can return to work and exercise, based on how you heal and the technique used.
Is dimpleplasty painful?
It is done under local anaesthesia, so the cheek is numb during the procedure. Afterwards, mild pain and swelling are common in the first days. Ask your surgeon which painkillers you can take, and for how long, as some increase bleeding.
What are the risks of dimple creation?
The main ones are a dimple that is too shallow, too deep or fades, plus infection, haematoma and asymmetry. In the largest series, 7.7% of patients had a second operation, mostly for a shallow or vanished dimple. Serious complications are rare.
Can dimpleplasty be reversed?
In the largest series, patients who changed their minds had the dimple removed by taking out the stitches. Before you decide, ask your surgeon whether, and until when, this is possible with their technique, and what exactly a reversal would involve.
Do surgical dimples look natural?
The aim is to imitate a natural dimple that appears when you smile, and high patient satisfaction has been reported with careful positioning and technique. Results vary, and the dimple needs weeks to months to soften into its final look.
Can I have a dimple on one side only?
Yes. Case series report both one-sided and two-sided dimples. Natural dimples appear in roughly 30% of faces, and whether you have one or two is decided with you at the marking stage, after looking at your smile in a mirror and in photos.
How long should I stay in Istanbul for dimple creation?
Plan on around 7 days. For a short procedure under local anaesthesia, UK guidance (BAAPS) does not call for an extra stay, so your surgeon may clear you to fly after the first check-up. ASPS generally advises 7–10 days after facial procedures.
Medical informationThe information on this page is general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a diagnosis or treatment. Every surgical and interventional procedure carries risks, which will be explained to you in detail during your consultation. Whether this procedure suits you can only be decided after an in-person examination and assessment. We encourage you to also seek independent advice from your own doctor before deciding.
Sources
- Lee and Cutri. Dimple creation surgery: review (2025)
- Chung et al. Clinical and aesthetic results of facial dimple creation surgery (2020)
- El-Sabbagh. A technique for facial dimple creation (2015)
- AbdullGaffar et al. Actinomycotic sinus after cheek dimple creation (2014)
- Chordia et al. Dimpleplasty: a narrative review (2026)
- ASPS: Cosmetic surgery tourism
- BAAPS: Cosmetic tourism guidelines (2023)
A conversation, at your pace.
Thinking about a dimple?
Send your questions and, if you like, a smiling photo. Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker can tell you whether an examination makes sense.
- Nef 22 Ataköy, D Blok, Kat 1, Daire 36, Çobançeşme E-5 Yanyol Cad. No:22, Bakırköy / İstanbul
- Monday to Saturday, 10:00–18:00
- +90 542 280 27 51
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
Thank you — your question has reached the clinic.
The team will reply using the contact details you gave. If you would like to talk sooner, continue on WhatsApp — your request is already written for you.
Continue on WhatsApp