Speech and language therapy
Swallowing, lip closure and nasal breathing, from childhood to old age.
Therapy · Overview
One training device.One natural pattern.
FaceFormer therapy is an exercise method using 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. The focus is on training the control pattern, not strength.
02
With a medical device
Class I under the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR). The FaceFormer guides the movement rather than 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 begins.
04
Short sessions
A few minutes three times a day, 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 provides clear feedback. The membrane sits behind it in the oral vestibule, extends into the cheeks and seals off the oral cavity. When you swallow, a slight negative pressure is created and the tongue rests against the palate.
ZERO and ONE are the same size and shape; only the hardness of the material differs. The softer ZERO is for getting started, for children and for night-time use; after a few weeks, the firmer ONE is used for daytime training.
Start with the FaceFormer ZERO or the ZERO and ONE set. Find out more about the material under Material and manufacturing.
Breathing, swallowing and head balance are at the start of many chains of cause and effect.
Many complaints may be linked to these basic functions. The training creates the conditions for them to improve and does not replace a medical assessment. How the therapy works
The training
Eleven modules in three levels
Every exercise combines lip closure, the reference position of the tongue, swallowing and nasal breathing. You choose the appropriate modules according to the instructions or together with a practice.
-
Basic training
Basic exercise, pulling exercise and night-time use. This is where everyone starts.
-
Special training
Pulling exercises upwards, downwards or in varying directions, depending on the starting situation.
-
Extended training
Breathing exercise, head balance rotation, pelvic floor and AirFlip complement the basic training.
You can find the weekly plan under How FaceFormer therapy works.
Who it's 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 misalignment and the jaw joint.
Physiotherapy and osteopathy
Head balance, throat and neck, body posture and pelvic floor.
You can find practices near you in the practitioner directory, and the areas of application under Applications and specialist fields. Professionals can learn the method in a certified training course.
Questions
Frequently asked
Do I need a practice?
Not necessarily. A practice is worthwhile if you are not making progress, want to have complaints assessed or would like support. The practice carries out an assessment, selects the modules and corrects how you perform the exercises.
Does health insurance cover the FaceFormer?
As a rule, no; 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.
Can I use it with braces?
Yes, ZERO and ONE can be used together with orthodontic appliances. Agree on 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.
