About us
Health needs understandingThe people behind the FaceFormer
The FaceFormer was developed by Dr. Klaus-Jürgen Berndsen and Sabine Berndsen at the ISST in Unna and has been on the market since 2000. Here you can find out who is behind FaceFormer therapy, where the method comes from, how we research and teach, and what the FaceFormer is made of.
The key points at a glance
- Behind the FaceFormer are Dr. Klaus-Jürgen Berndsen and Sabine Berndsen. In 1984 they founded the ISST in Unna, the Institute for Special Systemic Therapy.
- The manufacturer is Dr. Berndsen GmbH in Unna. The FaceFormer has been on the market since 2000 and is today a Class I medical device under the European Medical Device Regulation.
- FaceFormer therapy trains the basic functions of breathing, swallowing and head balance. On this page you can read how we research this, provide training and connect practices.
Who we are
One institute, one company, one method
Behind faceformer.de are two organisations at the same address in Unna: the ISST and Dr. Berndsen GmbH.
The ISST Unna, the Institute for Special Systemic Therapy, is the place for therapy and research. Klaus and Sabine Berndsen founded it in 1984. Here a team of practitioners treats people of all ages, and this is where the method and the device were created. You can find out more about the institute at isst-unna.de.
Dr. Berndsen GmbH is the manufacturer of the FaceFormer. It is responsible for the medical device, the exercise instructions, the free app, the shop and the training courses. The managing director is Sabine Berndsen, and the company is based at Wasserstraße 25 in Unna.
Health needs understanding.Under this motto, Dr. Klaus Berndsen has been explaining on the YouTube channel Dr. Berndsen Medical since the end of 2020 how function and health are connected. It stands for looking at the cause rather than at the individual symptom.
Klaus and Sabine Berndsen founded the ISST in Unna
the FaceFormer came onto the market; today it is a Class I medical device under the MDR
in the couple’s list of publications from 1988 to 2023, from conference posters to book chapters
History
Born out of practice
The FaceFormer was not designed on a drawing board. It grew out of work with patients at the ISST.
At the ISST, a new development usually began with a person for whom there was no suitable help. Klaus and Sabine Berndsen built many aids in their own workshop, often initially for a single patient. They have been granted patents for several of their developments. The FaceFormer also emerged from this path via the individual case.
- 1984
Founding of the ISST
Klaus and Sabine Berndsen found the Institute for Special Systemic Therapy in Unna.
- From 1988
Training courses
The two pass on their knowledge in continuing education and advanced training for doctors and practitioners, both in-house and at congresses.
- 2000
The FaceFormer
The training device comes onto the market. From this year on, university hospitals also present initial studies on it.
- 2001
The model
The Berndsens present the Cranio-Cervical Myofunctional Model. It describes how the mouth, throat, jaw and cervical spine work together as one system.
- 2004
Studies
In Hamburg, the only randomised study with the FaceFormer to date is published; in Jena, a peer-reviewed study with a comparison group on jaw pain.
- 2007
Further development
The model is revised. This later gives rise to the Cranio-Cervical Functional Model, which includes control by the nervous system.
- 2020
Dr. Berndsen Medical
Klaus Berndsen launches his YouTube channel under the motto “Health needs understanding” (“Gesundheit braucht Verstand”).
- 2024
Manual on the methodology
The method’s workbook is published in its second edition.
- Today
FaceFormer therapy
The model has become FaceFormer Triadic Neuro-Reference Therapy. The foundational book “Trust the Triad” is in preparation.
The founders
Klaus and Sabine Berndsen
For decades, both have combined therapy, research and teaching. They developed FaceFormer therapy together.
Dr. Klaus-Jürgen Berndsen studied physics, patholinguistics and rehabilitation science at the universities of Bonn, Cologne and Dortmund. In Dortmund he taught and did research full-time for several years in rehabilitation sciences, and he obtained his doctorate there.
At the ISST he is scientific director. He has held teaching appointments at several universities, in Frankfurt am Main on the theory and practice of neurofunctional therapy methods in dentistry and orthodontics. He is currently writing “Trust the Triad”, the foundational book on the triad of breathing, swallowing and head balance.
Sabine Berndsen heads the ISST as director and manages Dr. Berndsen GmbH. She is the author and co-author of books and specialist articles, including the Hamburg study on the FaceFormer in children. Teaching appointments have taken her to the universities of Witten/Herdecke and Frankfurt am Main.
One focus of her work is training with children. Together with Lena Koopmann, she explains how to make it age-appropriate in a webinar for parents and professionals. For an overview, see the page FaceFormer for children.
The method
Breathing, swallowing, head balance: the triad
FaceFormer therapy does not target a single symptom. Instead, it works on three basic functions that run around the clock.
Breathing
Through the nose, with the lips loosely closed. The nose warms, moistens and filters the air before it reaches the lungs.
Swallowing
Many hundreds to thousands of times a day. The tongue moves from the tongue reference position against the palate. More in the article Swallowing and swallowing patterns.
Head balance
The head balances above the body. If it shifts forward, the jaw, throat and neck muscles do compensatory work, see Neck and back.
In our view, many complaints as a rule begin with a disturbed interplay of these three functions. The body compensates, the nervous system stores the compensation as a habit, and only later do consequences show up in the jaw, teeth, posture or sleep. That is why we train the function itself and not the individual symptom.
The tongue has no fixed resting place. The so-called “tongue resting posture” does not really exist as such, but everyone understands what is meant. We speak of the tongue reference position, a shape and alignment to which the tongue returns between its movements. More on this in the article on the tongue reference position.
The FaceFormer sits in the oral vestibule behind the lips. Its shape guides the lips and tongue during swallowing without forcing them. Lip closure, nasal breathing, tongue alignment, the act of swallowing and head balance are practised in the same sequence. How this all works together is explained on the page How does FaceFormer therapy work?
You can find an introduction to the method at What is FaceFormer therapy?. Where we see connections is shown in Where does FaceFormer therapy help?, and how the training relates to splints, braces or surgery is covered under FaceFormer and other treatments.
Research
What has been studied, and what has not
Research has been part of the ISST from the very beginning. We are open about what evidence exists and how robust it is.
Between 1988 and 2023, Klaus and Sabine Berndsen published a total of 57 contributions, including conference posters, specialist articles and book chapters. One of them deals with snoring and sleep apnoea in the Thieme compendium “Zahnärztliche Schlafmedizin” (Dental Sleep Medicine); more on this in the article Snoring and sleep apnoea. Most of the studies come from the developers themselves or were produced with them.
the Hamburg study of 45 children from 2004. It compared basic functions such as swallowing pattern, lip closure and lip strength1
with muscle-related jaw pain in a peer-reviewed study from Jena with a comparison group2
The absence of a study does not mean that the connection does not exist. It means that it has not been tested.The rest are pilot observations and posters. We support independent studies without influencing how they are conducted or evaluated.
On the page Studies and science you will find every study with its size, comparison group, duration and measurement method, where possible with the original as a PDF. The complete list of publications is available at isst-unna.de. A good companion to the Jena study is the article Understanding TMD.
Further training
Passing on what we have learned
Since 1988, Klaus and Sabine Berndsen have been providing further training for doctors, practitioners and coaches.
In the two-day seminars, the first day covers theory, functional analysis and diagnostics, and the second day covers practical application with case studies. Participants practise the basic exercise themselves and learn to assess breathing, swallowing and head balance during examination.
The basis is the methodology manual, the workbook of FaceFormer therapy. After the seminar, participants receive materials and exercise videos for their own practice.
In-person seminar
Two days of theory, diagnostics and practice with Klaus and Sabine Berndsen, with CPD points.
Online foundation course
One day on the fundamentals of FaceFormer therapy, online via a training provider.
Webinars
Recordings on training with children and training for adults.
practitioners completed the qualification seminar up to and including 2025, counted according to our seminar lists
in which FaceFormer therapy is used today
You can find dates, content and registration under Training and seminars.
Practitioner directory
Training with support
You can train on your own with the free app and the exercise pages. A practice can also support you.
In the practitioner directory you will find doctors, therapists and coaches who work with FaceFormer therapy, currently in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Finland. Listed are certified practitioners who have agreed to an entry. The map shows the contact details, and some practices also show pictures.
A practice makes sense if you are not making progress with your training, would like to have complaints checked, or would like personal support. If you train with a practice, you decide together when to add which exercise.
Getting started on your own
The free FaceFormer app guides you through the basic exercises, and the exercise pages show all the modules.
Practising correctly
What matters in every session is explained under How to train correctly.
Finding a practice
You can use the practitioner directory to search by town and country.
Listing your practice
If you work with the method yourself, you can apply for your listing directly on the map. We will review it and then activate it.
FaceFormer training does not replace a medical assessment. Do not stop anything prescribed by a doctor, such as a splint or a CPAP device, on your own; instead, discuss any changes with your practice.
Production and material
From Unna, made of medical-grade silicone
The FaceFormer is manufactured by Dr. Berndsen GmbH in Unna. It was developed at the ISST.
The FaceFormer is made of the liquid silicone LSR 4030, a material for medical applications. The material has been tested for biocompatibility in accordance with ISO 10993 and USP Class VI and is free from BPA, phthalates, plasticisers and latex. After manufacture, every FaceFormer is tempered for several hours.
All FaceFormers have the same shape and size. The yellow ZERO is softer and intended for getting started, for children and for night-time use. The ONE in blue or clear is firmer and intended for advanced daytime training. Everything about material, shape and care can be found on Material and manufacturing.
Medical device under the European Medical Device Regulation, with CE marking
and USP Class VI: tests of the silicone for compatibility with skin and mucous membranes
for all users; ZERO and ONE differ only in the hardness of the material
Team and contact
Who answers you
App support, advice, the shop and shipping are handled by a small team in Unna.
Sabine Berndsen
Managing Director of Dr. Berndsen GmbH, Director of the ISST, co-developer of FaceFormer therapy.
Dr. Klaus Berndsen
Scientific Director of the ISST, developer of FaceFormer therapy, lecturer in the seminars.
Pia Lottes
Development Management, medical device consultant, responsible for the shop and logistics.
Kim Schaper
IT, development and research data, medical device consultant.
Questions about training
You can ask questions in the free FaceFormer app, and the team will answer you personally.
Phone and email
You can reach our advice service on product and use at +49 2303 89991-0 and service@drberndsen.de. All contact options are listed on the contact page.
Online coaching
You can book individual advice on training with Dr. Klaus Berndsen online, see Training courses and seminars.
Frequently asked questions
Many answers can already be found under Frequently asked questions.
Your path
From question to training
Depending on where you are right now, these pages will help you further.
Understand
Check
Studies and science: what has been investigated and what has not.
Read experiences
Experience reports from users, each as an individual case.
Plan
Procedure and duration of the therapy, week by week.
Find support
Practices in the practitioner directory.
Learn to apply it yourself
Training courses and seminars for doctors, therapists and coaches.
Questions
Frequently asked
Who is behind the FaceFormer?
The FaceFormer was developed by Dr. Klaus-Jürgen Berndsen and Sabine Berndsen at the ISST Unna, the Institute for Special Systemic Therapy, which they founded in 1984. The manufacturer is Dr. Berndsen GmbH in Unna; its managing director is Sabine Berndsen.
How long has the FaceFormer been around?
The FaceFormer has been on the market since 2000. Klaus and Sabine Berndsen first presented the model behind it in 2001 and have continued to develop it since then. Today the method is called FaceFormer Triadic Neuro-Reference Therapy, or FaceFormer therapy for short.
Where is the FaceFormer made?
The manufacturer is Dr. Berndsen GmbH, Wasserstraße 25, 59423 Unna, Germany. The FaceFormer is made of the medical liquid silicone LSR 4030, tested in accordance with ISO 10993 and USP Class VI, and is tempered for several hours after manufacture. Details can be found on Material and manufacturing.
Is the FaceFormer a medical device?
Yes. The FaceFormer is a Class I medical device under the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and bears the CE marking. It is non-invasive. The training does not replace a medical assessment.
How do I find a practice that works with the FaceFormer?
In the practitioner directory you will find practices in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Finland. A practice is not a requirement: you can also train on your own with the free app and the exercise pages.
Can I train in FaceFormer therapy as a doctor, therapist or coach?
Yes. There are two-day in-person seminars with Klaus and Sabine Berndsen, an online foundation course and webinars. They are based on the manual on the methodology. Dates can be found under Training courses and seminars.
More articles from the knowledge section
Where to go next
Sources
- Korbmacher HM, Schwan M, Berndsen S, Bull J, Kahl-Nieke B (2004). Evaluation of a new concept of myofunctional therapy in children. International Journal of Orofacial Myology 30:39-52. PMID 15832861. Source
- Kopp S, Berndsen K, Berndsen S, Ifert F, Langbein U (2004). Initiale Therapie myogener Befunde im kraniomandibulären System mit einem konfektionierten intra-/extraoralen Trainingsgerät. Manuelle Medizin 42(1):55-62. Source
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.
FaceFormer ZERO
The softer FaceFormer for getting started, for children and for the night.
FaceFormer ZERO Children’s Set
ZERO with hygiene box, plush bag and success book with stamp.
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 symptoms can improve. It does not replace a medical assessment. You can find practitioners near you in the practitioner directory.