Dimple surgery: procedure, recovery, and clinic documentation

Key Takeaways

Dimple surgery (dimpleplasty) is a short cosmetic procedure that creates a permanent cheek or chin dimple by forming a small adhesion between the skin and the buccinator muscle.

It takes about 30 minutes under local anesthetic through an incision inside the mouth, leaves no external scar, and most patients are back to normal activity within a week.

Because the result is permanent and carries risks such as asymmetry and infection, clear informed consent and structured aftercare are essential, both clinically and medico-legally.

Practice management software like Pabau captures intake, consent, and procedure notes in one patient record, so nothing gets missed between consultation and follow-up.

Download your free dimple surgery aftercare template

Dimple surgery, or dimpleplasty, is one of the simpler cosmetic procedures a practice can add, but its permanence and complication risk make careful patient communication and documentation non-negotiable.

This guide covers what the procedure involves, how recovery goes, the main risks, what it costs, and how to document it properly, plus a free aftercare template you can adapt for your own practice.

What is dimple surgery?

Dimple surgery, formally called dimpleplasty or dimple creation surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that creates a permanent indentation on the cheeks or chin. It works by forming an adhesion between the dermis and the underlying buccinator muscle, so that when the patient smiles, the muscle pulls the skin inward and a natural-looking dimple appears.

The procedure takes roughly 30 minutes under local anesthesia. It involves a small incision inside the mouth and non-absorbable sutures that anchor the skin to the muscle, with no external scar and minimal downtime. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), it is one of the more straightforward cosmetic procedures available.

Surgeons typically mark the Stensen (parotid) duct before making the incision so suture placement avoids it. Your procedure note should record that this landmark was identified.

How long is dimple surgery recovery?

Dimple surgery recovery is short. Most patients return to normal activities within two to five days and back to work in about a week. Swelling and bruising peak on day two or three and settle over two to three weeks. The dimples themselves look deep at first and soften into a natural crease over four to six weeks.

Set expectations for the first days after surgery with clear aftercare instructions:

• Keep to a soft or liquid diet for the first day or two while the internal sutures settle.
• Rinse with a dilute mouthwash rather than brushing the incision, and avoid aggressive rinsing for 48 hours.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for three to seven days.
• Take the prescribed oral antibiotics, usually for about a week.
• Watch for red-flag signs: fever, purulent discharge, or worsening asymmetry all warrant a call to the clinic.

Risks and side effects of dimple surgery

The main risks and side effects of dimple surgery are asymmetry, infection, scarring, temporary nerve dysesthesia, and visible sutures. Most are uncommon and resolve as the tissue heals, but patients need to understand them before they consent.

Poor outcomes usually trace back to patient selection or technique rather than the procedure itself, which is why a thorough intake and a clear consent conversation matter so much. Because the dimple is permanent, the consent form should also make clear that weight change and aging can alter its appearance over time.

Is dimple surgery permanent?

Yes. Dimpleplasty forms a lasting adhesion between the dermis and the buccinator muscle, so the indentation stays in place once the tissue settles. Reversal is theoretically possible but rarely requested. State the permanence clearly on the consent form, and note that aging and weight fluctuation may change how the dimple looks over the years.

How much does dimple surgery cost?

Dimpleplasty is an elective, self-pay cosmetic procedure, so there is no insurance code and no single price. What a patient pays depends on the provider, the region, and whether the procedure is done under local anesthesia alone or with sedation.

From a documentation standpoint, record the quoted fee and exactly what it covers on the consultation intake form. That way the patient’s financial consent is captured alongside their clinical consent, and there is no dispute later about what was agreed.

How to document dimple surgery in your practice

Standardized documentation turns dimple surgery from an ad hoc procedure into a repeatable clinical process. Follow these five steps:

1. Pre-consultation intake: Patients complete an intake form documenting facial anatomy, desired dimple location, expectations, and medical history, including bleeding disorders, keloid formation, and current medications. This lays the groundwork for informed consent.
2. Consultation assessment: The practitioner reviews the intake, examines facial anatomy, marks proposed dimple sites, and photographs the current appearance (with separate media consent). Document the patient’s understanding of the mechanics, permanence, risks, and recovery.
3. Informed consent: The patient signs a consent form covering the procedure, permanence caveats, and complication risks. Digital forms streamline electronic signature capture and reduce lost paperwork.
4. Procedure note: Complete a standardized note immediately after surgery. Record anesthesia type, suture technique, dimple location, patient tolerance, intraoperative findings, and immediate appearance. This is your medical-legal record.
5. Post-operative guidance: Hand over the aftercare instructions covered above and schedule follow-up. Practice management software can automate aftercare reminders so patients get them at the right moment.

Who performs dimple surgery?

Dimple creation sits within several aesthetic and surgical specialties, and the documentation needs are similar across all of them:

• Cosmetic and plastic surgeons: Board-certified surgeons performing dimpleplasty in private practice or surgical centers need consent and complication-disclosure documentation that matches the procedure.
• Aesthetic nurse injectors and prescribers: Nurse practitioners and registered nurses offering dimple creation within their scope of practice need records that show proper screening, consent, and post-operative monitoring.
• Med spas and aesthetic clinics: Multi-service practices offering dimple creation alongside Botox and dermal fillers benefit from consistent documentation across every service.
• Dermatologists: Dermatologists adding procedural cosmetic services use dimple surgery templates to launch a new service line with the right documentation in place.

Pro tip: Customizing consent forms for your scope of practice

Documentation and patient care in Pabau

Good documentation supports the whole patient journey, not just the operating day. Structured medical forms capture pre-operative history, allergies, and bleeding-risk factors that inform anesthesia decisions. Pabau Scribe, our AI scribe, generates a standardized procedure note in seconds, so nothing is left out.

Follow-up matters just as much. Automated aftercare reminders by SMS or email reinforce wound care and flag concerning symptoms early. Before-and-after photo management stores healing images securely (with separate media consent) and lets you document the result over time.

Streamline dimple surgery documentation with Pabau

From intake to post-operative care, Pabau's digital forms, clinical notes, and patient communication tools keep dimple surgery workflows organized, compliant, and outcome-focused.

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Regulatory context and clinical best practice

Dimple surgery is elective, but it carries complication risk, so regulators expect it to be documented thoroughly.

In the UK, aesthetic clinics offering it must meet CQC registration standards, which require documented informed consent, clear complication disclosures, and safe post-operative monitoring.

In the US, state licensing boards and accreditation bodies such as The Joint Commission expect thorough documentation of patient understanding and practitioner competency.

Peer-reviewed literature on dimpleplasty technique shows that the procedure’s safety record rests on appropriate patient selection, clear consent, and rigorous follow-up. Templates that build those principles into routine workflow reduce deviation and support better outcomes.

Conclusion

Dimple surgery is a straightforward procedure, but its safety rests on meticulous documentation and honest patient communication. Standardized templates for intake, consent, procedure notes, and aftercare protect patients, reduce practitioner liability, and create an auditable record of every clinical decision.

Whether you are launching a dimple creation service or refining an existing one, structured documentation turns isolated procedures into a compliant, repeatable service. Book a demo to see how Pabau’s digital forms and clinical documentation tools simplify dimple surgery workflows.

Continue your research

Need guidance on aesthetic practice documentation? Building an aesthetic clinic marketing plan includes documentation best practices that support patient acquisition and retention through professional, compliant workflows.

Want to streamline patient intake? Plastic surgery practice management software integrates consent capture, intake forms, and clinical notes into one unified patient record system.

Looking for additional procedure templates? Facial consultation form templates provide reusable frameworks for other aesthetic procedures beyond dimple creation.

Frequently asked questions