Speech and language therapy
Swallowing, mouth closure and nasal breathing, from children to seniors.
Therapy · Overview
One training device.One natural pattern.
FaceFormer therapy is an exercise method that uses a medical device. For a few minutes three times a day, you train breathing, swallowing and head balance back into their natural interplay.
At a glance
What the therapy is about
01
An exercise method
Developed by Dr. Klaus-Jürgen Berndsen and Sabine Berndsen at the ISST in Unna. What is trained is the control pattern, not strength.
02
With a medical device
Class I under the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR). The FaceFormer guides the movement instead of forcing it.
03
For children and adults
Children up to the age of ten train with the softer ZERO; there is no separate children's size. For young children, the practice decides when and in what form training takes place.
04
Short sessions
A few minutes three times a day, and later also at night with the ZERO. The free app guides you through the basic exercises.
The device
ZERO or ONE?
The lip wedge guides the lips towards the centre of the mouth and gives clear feedback. The membrane sits behind it in the oral vestibule, reaches into the cheeks and seals the oral cavity. When you swallow, a slight negative pressure is created and the tongue rests against the palate.
ZERO and ONE have the same size and shape; only the material hardness differs. The softer ZERO is for getting started, for children and for the night, and after a few weeks the firmer ONE is for training during the day.
Start with the FaceFormer ZERO or the set of ZERO and ONE. You can read more about the material under Material and manufacture.
Breathing, swallowing and head balance stand at the start of many chains of causes.
Many complaints can be connected with these basic functions. The training creates the conditions for them to improve, and it does not replace a medical assessment. How the therapy works
The training
Eleven modules in three levels
Every exercise combines lip closure, tongue reference position, swallowing and nasal breathing. You choose the modules you need by following the instructions or together with a practice.
Basic training
Basic exercise, pull exercise and night-time use. This is where everyone starts.
Special training
Pull exercises upwards, downwards or in varying directions, depending on your starting situation.
Extended training
Breathing exercise, head balance rotation, pelvic floor and AirFlip complement the basic training.
You can find the weekly plan under FaceFormer therapy step by step.
Who it is for
At home or in a practice
You can train on your own with the app. The therapy is also used in speech therapy, dental, orthodontic, physiotherapy and medical practices.
Dentistry and orthodontics
Alongside braces and splints, for tooth misalignments and at the jaw joint.
Physiotherapy and osteopathy
Head balance, throat and neck, body statics and pelvic floor.
You can find practices near you in the practitioner directory, and the areas of use under Applications and specialities. Professionals learn the method in a training course with certificate.
Questions
Frequently asked
Do I need a practice?
Not necessarily. A practice is worthwhile if you are not making progress, want to have symptoms checked or would like support. The practice carries out an assessment, chooses the modules and corrects your technique.
Does health insurance pay for the FaceFormer?
Usually not, see Cost coverage by health insurance.
How long does the therapy take?
That depends on how long a pattern has existed. The basic training is designed to last several months.
Does it also work with braces?
Yes, ZERO and ONE can be used together with orthodontic appliances. Agree the procedure with your practice.
Read more
More on FaceFormer therapy
Becoming a FaceFormer expert: training for professionals
Two seminar days with Dr. Klaus-Jürgen Berndsen and Sabine Berndsen for doctors, dentistry, orthodontics, speech therapy, physiotherapy and osteopathy. You get to know the...
FaceFormer therapy step by step
From the assessment in the practice to the starting position and the basic exercise, through to the week-by-week schedule. Plus what helps you keep...
Areas of application of FaceFormer therapy
FaceFormer therapy is used in many specialities, from speech therapy to sleep medicine. This overview groups the areas of application from the exercise instructions...
How FaceFormer therapy works
Breathing, swallowing and head balance form a functional circuit that stands at the start of many causal chains. This article shows why FaceFormer therapy...
Material and manufacture of the FaceFormer
Which silicone the FaceFormer is made from, how it is tested and why the membrane and lip wedge are shaped the way they are....
Get started
Ready for the training?
The free FaceFormer app guides you through the basic exercises, counts along and reminds you of your sessions. If you wish, a practice from the practitioner directory can support you.
FaceFormer® ZERO + ONE
Both material hardnesses for getting started, day and night. The set for adults.
€64,33incl. VAT, free shipping
In the shop
FaceFormer® ZERO
The softer FaceFormer for getting started, for children and for the night.
€39,90incl. VAT, free shipping
In the shop
FaceFormer® ZERO Children's Set
ZERO with hygiene box, plush bag and success book with stamp.
€59,90incl. VAT, free shipping
In the shop
FaceFormer training aims to restore the physiological setting of the basic functions of breathing, swallowing and head balance, with lip closure and the tongue reference position, thereby creating the conditions under which complaints can improve. It does not replace a medical assessment. You can find practitioners near you in the practitioner directory.
