Dimple Surgery | Dimple Creation | Houston, Texas

Dimples, Dimples, Dimples -- How to Get Dimples?

Several people consider facial dimples an attractive feature.  Dimples are considered a sign of good luck and prosperity in some cultures.  They are also generally associated with cheerfulness.  But everyone would agree that dimples brighten and add character to a beautiful smile.  

Miranda Kerr's Beautiful Dimples (Photograph courtesy of urbanfancies.wordpress.com)

Dimples are genetically inherited, and thus this naturally given gift is not for everyone.  Research has shown that parents with dimples will pass this attractive trait to their children.  Studies of the human facial anatomy revealed that dimples occur secondary to an abnormal insertion of the muscles of the face (zygomaticus major muscle), rather than a soft tissue defect.  With the popularity of cosmetic surgery and celebrities with dimples, such as Cheryl Cole & Miranda Kerr, there has been a recent increased in demand  for dimple surgery or "dimpleplasty".  

Fast Facts about Dimple Surgery (Dimple creation)

• Dimple surgery can be done under local anesthesia by a skilled plastic surgeon.
• Majority of the techniques, if not all, involves adherence of the buccinator muscles of the face to the dermis of the skin.  This can be done by transcutaneous sutures or by an open technique done under local anesthesia.
• Typically, there is no incision done on the skin of the face.  The incision is done through the mouth which would show no scarring.
• Like a natural dimple, dimples created surgically typically appears with smiling.  Although surgically created dimples may appear most of the time depending on the surgical technique used.
• The dimple may be present even without smiling the first several days  or even weeks.   Eventually, the surgically created dimple most likely be present with smiling as scar develops between the inner skin and the buccinator muscle.
• The procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes.

The Ideal Dimple

• When one surgically create a dimple, the ideal location would be the area where a less obvious faint dimple is present with smiling.  This would create a pre-existing dimple more prominent.
• If one cheek has a dimple, the ideal site would be marked at the corresponding site that would create symmetry of the face.
• If preexisting dimple is present, the ideal location would be the intersection between a horizontal line from the corner of the mouth and a vertical line from the lateral canthus of the eye.

Potential Complications of Dimple Surgery (Dimpleplasty)

• Sudden disappearance of the dimple.
• Asymmetry
• Foreign body reaction
• Bleeding
• Injury to a nerve (buccal branch of the facial nerve) or salivary gland duct (Stensen’s duct),  which are rare.

It is possible to create dimples surgically, and this procedure may be simple and straightforward when done properly.  It is essential that one be properly educated before one undergoes any procedure.  I recommend seeing a plastic surgeon if one is interested in dimple surgery.

Emmanuel De La Cruz M.D., PLLC
Houston Plastic Surgeon

References:   

Bao S, Zhou C, Li S, Zhao M. A new simple technique for making facial dimples. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.  2007;31: 380-383.  

Boo-chai K. The facial dimple: clinical study and operative technique. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. 1962;30:281-288. 

Pessa JE et al. Double or bifid zygomaticus major muscle: anatomy, incidence, and clinical correlation. Clinical Anatomy. 1998;11:310-313.

Thomas et al.  Improved Surgical Access for Facial Dimple Creation. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2010; 30 (6): 798-801.

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