Surgery that reshapes or repositions prominent ears closer to the head, commonly performed on children but equally effective in adults. Compare Carlsbad clinics below and request a free consultation.
$3,500–$8,000
per procedure · USD
A general range for Carlsbad, rounded for guidance. Confirm exact pricing with each clinic.
Plastic surgeons in Carlsbad who list otoplasty among their procedures. Tap any surgeon to view details and request a consultation.
Carlsbad
Financing available
Dermacare Encinitas at Schoemann Plastic Surgery is a plastic surgery practice in Carlsbad, California, rated 4.9 stars across 69 Google reviews, performing 24 tracked procedures.
Carlsbad
Financing available
Cameron S. Francis, M.D. is a plastic surgery practice in Carlsbad, California, rated 5 stars across 50 Google reviews, performing 24 tracked procedures.
Carlsbad
Jaibaji Plastic Surgery is a plastic surgery practice in Carlsbad, California, rated 4.7 stars across 134 Google reviews, performing 24 tracked procedures.
Carlsbad
Financing available
Iconic Plastic Surgery is a plastic surgery practice in Carlsbad, California, rated 4.8 stars across 63 Google reviews, performing 22 tracked procedures.
Carlsbad
Financing available
Moradi MD Cosmetic Surgery is a plastic surgery practice in Carlsbad, California, rated 4.6 stars across 156 Google reviews, performing 11 tracked procedures.
Surgery that reshapes or repositions prominent ears closer to the head, commonly performed on children but equally effective in adults.
One procedure, permanent
1 week off work or school, headband worn at night for several weeks
Children from about age five, once ear growth is largely complete, and adults of any age bothered by prominent or asymmetric ears
5 plastic surgery practices in the Carlsbad area list otoplasty. From Google Places listings; hours and locations change, so confirm with the practice.
What 5 Carlsbad practices that list otoplasty say on their own websites (checked September 2026); one that does not mention something may still offer it, so ask at your consultation.
Patients seeking an otoplasty normally has ear cartilage that has not developed a normal position or curvature. The cartilage can be curved and molded with sutures or small incisions to allow for a more aesthetically pleasing shape and position.
Otoplasty surgery is mostly performed on adults, but our surgeons can also treat children as young as six years old
ear surgery requires removing some of the ear cartilage to allow the ears to lie parallel to the head rather than protruding.
the final results of the otoplasty may take 3-4 months to fully develop as swelling needs time to subside.
Ear surgery has a recovery time of ten days to two weeks and is usually easy to experience.
Otoplasty generally runs $3,500–$8,000 per procedure, and each Carlsbad clinic sets its own price. The biggest variables are the provider's experience level and the specific device or product used. Newer technology and senior injectors price at the upper end. Pricing is quoted in US dollars (USD). Request a consultation from any of our listed Carlsbad clinics for a personalized quote.
Initial results in 2–4 weeks, with full results developing over 3 months as collagen builds. Carlsbad providers typically schedule follow-ups to track progress.
Most patients wait 24 hours before applying makeup to avoid irritation on freshly-treated skin.
Ears reach close to adult size by about age five or six, which is when surgeons will typically consider it. Many families choose to do it before a child starts school, or early in school years if teasing has begun. There is no upper limit, and plenty of adults have it done having lived with prominent ears for decades. For children, most surgeons want the child to want it too, not just the parents.
Behind the ear, in the crease where the ear meets the head, which makes them essentially invisible in normal life. Some techniques use a small amount of cartilage scoring from the front, but the standard approach keeps everything behind. This is one of the few operations where scar placement is genuinely not a concern.
Sometimes for children, particularly when there is documented psychological impact from teasing, and policies vary widely. It is generally considered cosmetic for adults. It is worth having the surgeon's office check, because coverage for pediatric otoplasty is more common than people assume.
Partial relapse happens in a minority of cases, usually within the first year, and is more likely when the correction relied only on stitches rather than reshaping the cartilage itself. Wearing the protective headband as directed during early healing meaningfully reduces the risk. Revision is possible when relapse occurs.
For newborns in roughly the first few weeks of life, ear molding systems can reshape cartilage while it is still soft from maternal hormones, avoiding surgery entirely. That window is very short and closes within the first couple of months. After that, surgery is the option. Parents who notice prominent ears in a newborn should ask about molding immediately rather than waiting.
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