Dimpleplasty in Singapore
Doctor-led cosmetic surgery to create a cheek dimple by forming a controlled connection between the inner cheek tissues and overlying skin.
Dimple depth, position and how visible it is at rest versus during smiling can change during healing. Symmetry and permanence cannot be guaranteed.
Two things are worth knowing before you read further. The dimple will look deeper and more obvious in the first weeks than it eventually will, and the procedure is not straightforwardly reversible — reversal is possible but is a second operation with its own uncertainty. Both facts should shape the decision rather than be discovered afterwards.
Dimpleplasty at a glance
| What it is | Elective cosmetic surgery creating a controlled adhesion between the inner cheek and the overlying skin, producing an indentation |
|---|---|
| How it is done | Through the inside of the mouth, so there is normally no external skin incision |
| Anaesthesia | Local anaesthetic. The procedure typically takes around 20 to 30 minutes per side |
| Natural dimples | Occur where a variant of the cheek muscle attaches to skin. Surgery imitates this attachment rather than recreating the anatomy exactly |
| Early appearance | Visible at rest and deeper than intended. This is expected and softens over weeks to months |
| Settling | Final behaviour usually apparent by around two to three months |
| Durability | Intended to be lasting, but dimples can soften or disappear as the internal scar remodels |
| Reversibility | Not simple. Reversal requires further surgery and the result cannot be guaranteed |
| Main risks | Asymmetry, an over-deep or permanently visible dimple, loss of the dimple, infection, and rarely nerve or salivary duct injury |
| Where | Aquila Medical Center, 160 Robinson Road, #05-01 SBF Centre Medical Suites, Singapore 068914 |
How dimpleplasty works
The procedure is usually performed through the inside of the mouth. Depending on technique, a small amount of mucosa or soft tissue may be removed and a suture placed to create adhesion between deeper cheek tissue and the skin.
Natural dimples arise from an anatomical variant in which a portion of the buccinator or zygomaticus major muscle attaches to the overlying dermis. When the muscle contracts in a smile, it pulls the skin inward at that point. Surgery aims to imitate that attachment by creating a deliberate adhesion — which is why the result can behave slightly differently from a naturally occurring dimple, particularly in the early period when the tether is at its tightest.
Early after surgery, the dimple may be visible even without smiling because the tissues are tightly tethered. As swelling settles and the internal scar matures, the appearance can soften or change. Some patients find the early appearance startling; understanding that it is expected prevents unnecessary alarm.
The paradox worth understanding: the adhesion must be strong enough to persist, but scar tissue naturally softens over time. This tension between durability and natural appearance is why some dimples fade and others remain more obvious than intended.
Planning position and depth
Location
The desired point is marked with the patient smiling and at rest. Facial asymmetry should be documented before surgery.
Depth
A deeper tether can create a stronger indentation but may look unnatural or remain visible at rest.
One or both sides
Unilateral and bilateral procedures are possible, but perfect mirror symmetry is not realistic because faces are naturally asymmetric.
Cheek volume
Fuller cheeks generally hold a dimple more convincingly. In very thin cheeks the indentation can look hollow rather than charming.
Anatomical landmarks
Position is planned relative to the mouth corner and a line from the outer eye corner, avoiding placement too high, too low or too medial.
Baseline photographs
Documenting pre-existing asymmetry protects both patient and surgeon, since natural differences are frequently noticed only after surgery.
Position is the decision that most determines whether the result looks natural. A dimple placed too close to the mouth reads as a crease rather than a dimple; placed too high or too far back it can look like a dent unrelated to the smile. This is a case where a few millimetres genuinely matters, and it is worth discussing the marked position in a mirror before proceeding.
Recovery is variable
Swelling, tenderness, bruising and tightness can occur. The dimple can initially look deeper than intended and may change over several weeks as tissues heal.
There is no single guaranteed “3–5 day” recovery or fixed settling date. Diet, oral hygiene and activity instructions depend on the operative technique and individual healing.
What the timeline usually looks like
- Days 1–3: swelling inside the cheek, tenderness on chewing, and a dimple that is obvious at rest. A soft diet is easier.
- Week 1: swelling settles and eating becomes comfortable. Oral hygiene matters, since the wound is inside the mouth.
- Weeks 2–4: the dimple remains more pronounced than the eventual result. Most patients are socially comfortable.
- Months 2–3: the tether softens and the dimple increasingly appears with movement rather than at rest. This is the fair assessment point.
- Beyond 6 months: settled behaviour. Any further softening or loss would typically occur across this period.
Because the wound is intraoral, mouth care rather than skin care governs the early period: gentle salt-water rinses, avoiding hard or sharp foods, and not probing the area with the tongue, which is harder than it sounds.
Risks and limitations
Potential complications include infection, bleeding, haematoma, persistent pain, mucosal scarring, suture reaction, asymmetry, an overly deep or shallow dimple, a dimple that remains visible at rest, loss of the dimple over time, facial-nerve or salivary-duct injury and need for revision.
Two outcomes account for most dissatisfaction, and they sit at opposite ends. The dimple may fade or disappear as the adhesion remodels, which is disappointing but leaves the patient roughly where they started. Or it may remain permanently visible at rest, reading as an indentation rather than a dimple — which is harder to live with and harder to correct.
Reversal deserves to be stated plainly rather than buried. Releasing an established dimple is a further operation, and the outcome is not guaranteed: scar tissue may leave residual indentation. Anyone considering dimpleplasty should decide on the basis that it may be effectively permanent.
The parotid duct, which drains saliva into the mouth near the upper molars, runs in the vicinity of the surgical field. Injury is uncommon but is the reason position and depth are planned with anatomy rather than appearance alone.
Seek review for increasing pain or swelling, fever, discharge or a bad taste suggesting infection, persistent bleeding, or new numbness or weakness of the face.
Who is and is not a good candidate
| Consideration | More favourable | Less favourable |
|---|---|---|
| Cheek fullness | Moderate cheek volume that holds an indentation naturally. | Very thin cheeks, where the dimple can look hollow. |
| Expectations | Understands the early appearance settles and symmetry is approximate. | Wants an exact match to a photograph of someone else. |
| Tolerance of permanence | Comfortable that reversal is difficult and uncertain. | Uncertain, or likely to change their mind. |
| Oral health | Good dental hygiene, no active infection. | Active dental or gum infection, which should be treated first. |
| Motivation | A personal aesthetic preference held over time. | A sudden request driven by a trend or by someone else's opinion. |
| Age | Adult, settled facial anatomy. | Very young patients whose facial proportions are still changing. |
It is a small procedure, but it is still surgery on a visible part of the face, and a request driven by momentary trend rather than settled preference is a reasonable prompt to slow down rather than book.
Frequently asked questions
Is dimpleplasty permanent?
It is intended to create a lasting adhesion, but dimples can become shallower or disappear as healing and scar remodelling occur.
Will the dimple only show when I smile?
Not necessarily at first. Early tethering may make it visible at rest; this often softens with healing but the final behaviour varies.
Is there an external scar?
The usual approach is through the inner cheek, so there is typically no planned external skin incision.
Can both sides be made identical?
Exact symmetry cannot be guaranteed because natural facial anatomy, muscle movement and healing differ between sides.
Can dimpleplasty be reversed?
Reversal is possible but is a further operation with an uncertain outcome, since scar tissue may leave residual indentation. Decide on the basis that it may be effectively permanent.
How long does the procedure take?
Typically around 20 to 30 minutes per side under local anaesthetic, though the appointment is longer to allow for marking, consent and aftercare instructions.
Does it hurt?
The local anaesthetic injection inside the cheek is the most uncomfortable part. Afterwards most patients describe tenderness on chewing rather than significant pain.
When will the dimple look natural?
Usually by around two to three months, once the tether softens and the dimple appears with movement rather than at rest. Judging it in the first weeks is premature.
What if the dimple is too deep?
Most over-deep dimples soften considerably during the first months. A dimple still clearly visible at rest after settling can be assessed for release, though correction is not guaranteed.
What if the dimple disappears?
This can happen as the adhesion remodels, and it is a recognised outcome rather than a technical failure. The procedure can sometimes be repeated after discussion.
What can I eat afterwards?
A soft diet is easier for the first few days. Avoid hard, sharp or very hot foods while the intraoral wound settles, and rinse gently with salt water as advised.
When can I return to work?
Many patients return within a day or two, since there is no external wound. Visible swelling and the early depth of the dimple are the limiting factors rather than discomfort.
Where exactly should a dimple be placed?
Position is planned relative to the mouth corner and a line from the outer eye corner. Too close to the mouth reads as a crease; too high or too far back looks like an unrelated dent.
Do dimples suit everyone?
No. Moderate cheek fullness holds a dimple more convincingly, whereas in very thin cheeks the same indentation can read as hollow rather than charming.
Can I have just one side done?
Yes, and this is sometimes requested to match an existing natural dimple on the other side. Matching an existing dimple is harder than creating two new ones.
Is there a risk to the facial nerve?
Uncommon, but nerve and parotid duct injury are recognised risks because of the surgical location. This is why depth and position are planned around anatomy rather than appearance alone.
Do I need antibiotics?
That depends on the technique and your surgeon's practice. Because the wound is intraoral, oral hygiene instructions matter regardless.
Will it affect my smile?
It should not change how the smile moves, only how the skin behaves at one point. Any change in facial movement beyond that would be unexpected and should be reported.
Is dimpleplasty claimable under MediSave or insurance in Singapore?
It is purely cosmetic and generally not claimable under MediSave or private insurance policies.
Where is Aquila Medical Center?
Aquila Medical Center is at 160 Robinson Road, #05-01 SBF Centre Medical Suites, Singapore 068914, in the CBD, a short walk from Tanjong Pagar, Shenton Way and Telok Ayer MRT stations.
Selected references
- Dimple creation surgery: technique, outcomes and complications.
- Modified techniques for cheek dimple creation and management of complications.
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Cosmetic procedures patient information.
This page is educational and does not replace an individual assessment. Dimple position, depth and long-term behaviour vary between patients, and no cosmetic outcome can be guaranteed. Content reviewed by the medical team at Aquila Medical Center, Singapore. Last reviewed: 26 August 2026.
Doctor-led dimpleplasty assessment
Consultation focuses on position, depth, facial movement, baseline asymmetry and whether the desired dimple is achievable without creating an excessively tethered appearance.
Aquila Medical Center is located at 160 Robinson Road, #05-01 SBF Centre Medical Suites, Singapore 068914, a short walk from Tanjong Pagar, Shenton Way and Telok Ayer MRT stations. Where your cheek anatomy is unlikely to hold a natural-looking dimple, we will say so.