Dimples, scientifically termed facial dimples, refer to small depressions in the facial skin that typically appear when smiling, hence also known as smile dimples. They are located near the intersection of the vertical line from the corner of the mouth and the outer canthus.This highly visible location is considered a facial beauty point. Muscle fibers of the facial expression muscles attach to the dermis at this point. When smiling, the contraction of these muscles creates a shallow indentation in the cheek skin—the coveted dimple many women desire.
Surgical Methods:
Numerous techniques exist for dimple creation, all relatively straightforward. Procedures are typically performed intraorally, leaving no visible skin scars. Three common methods are: suture placement, thread fixation, and incision-based suture placement. Regardless of the technique, each ensures charming dimples appear when you smile.Methods can be categorized as follows:
The suture ligation method, also known as the thread technique, directly ties silk threads at the desired dimple location on the cheek. This anchors the muscle to the dermis, creating a depression. While simple and incision-free, its results are less reliable, and the formed dimples may fade over time.
The insertion method for dimple creation is simpler and faster, typically taking only a few minutes to create a pair of dimples. However, its long-term results are uncertain.
Incision Method for Dimple Creation: A 2-centimeter vertical incision is made on the buccal mucosa inside the mouth. The mucosa and muscle are dissected, and a small amount of muscle and fat tissue is excised. Within the incision, part of the muscle and dermis are sutured together with a single stitch, creating a shallow depression in the corresponding skin. The mucosa is then sutured closed. This procedure is complex but yields reliable results and is the most commonly used method.
Subcutaneous ligation method: Mark 3–5mm short lines at designated facial points. Make a 3mm curved incision on the corresponding oral mucosa, with the incision's long axis parallel to the nasolabial fold.Insert a straight needle with 5-0 suture thread through the upper end of the buccal mucosal incision. Pass the needle through the upper end of the facial skin marking line, then exit at the same point. Reinsert the needle through the second exit point and re-enter the skin. Finally, exit through the lower end of the buccal mucosal incision.Pull the suture to create a depression at the cheek skin anchor point. Apply gradual tension, knot, and tighten. Carefully observe the artificial dimple's size, depth, and shape, making adjustments until satisfactory results are achieved.
The subcutaneous ligation technique is not suitable for patients with excessive buccal fat. Such patients require the intraoral incision method.
Intraoral Incision Method: Make an 8mm transverse incision on the intraoral mucosa at the corresponding position to the facial anchor point. Separate the incision to expose the buccinator muscle fibers, clip and remove the muscle fibers, then suture the intraoral buccal mucosa to the subcutaneous dermis layer at the facial anchor point. The appearance of the artificial dimple is now visible.
Important Notes:
Postoperative recovery speed generally depends on the patient's age, physical constitution, preoperative health status (e.g., menstrual cycle), and the adequacy of postoperative care. As long as infection is avoided and medical instructions are strictly followed, recovery is typically swift; otherwise, it may be slower. Generally, the dimple shape will gradually appear more natural within three months after surgery.