Experiences · Before and after
FaceFormer before and after.Experiences and case examples.
A documented course from an orthodontic practice with before and after images, the story of a patient after six ear operations on video, three sleep measurements of a user with sleep apnoea, and reports from users and parents in their own words. Every case is an individual case.
Before you read on
Every case is an individual case
An individual case
Each case example and each report shows the path of one individual person. It illustrates how we see the connection between function and form. It cannot prove it.
Not transferable
What was seen in one person cannot be transferred to others. The images are not a benchmark for what you will see after the same amount of time.
Every course is individual
How much and how quickly something changes depends on factors including age, growth, severity and how regularly you train. There is no guarantee.
You can find what studies have shown so far, and where their limitations lie, under Studies and science.
Case example from orthodontics
Open bite with tongue thrust
The images come from the practice of Dr. Elizabeth Menzel, orthodontist. The patient has consented to publication.
Open bite in the incisor area, more pronounced on the left, plus tongue thrust during swallowing
documented period with FaceFormer training according to the exercise instructions
from the front and from the side, at the start, after a few weeks and after three months
The starting position
At the start, the incisors of the upper and lower jaw did not meet. A clear gap remained between them, larger on the left than on the right. In the lower jaw, the incisors were rotated and the canines were misaligned.
During swallowing, the tongue pushed forward into the gap between the teeth. Such tongue thrust is considered one of the common functional factors in open bite.
How old the patient was and whether further orthodontic measures were under way is not evident from the documents available to us. We leave both open.
Progress
Before and after at a glance
The patient trained with the FaceFormer according to the exercise instructions. The training does not move teeth. It addresses breathing, swallowing and head balance, so that during swallowing the tip of the tongue once again makes contact at the tongue reference position on the palate instead of at the front against the teeth.
The training was continued. Only further follow-up will show whether the findings remain stable.
An individual case shows one course. It does not show how often things turn out this way.
An open bite should be examined by a dentist or orthodontist. The training does not replace this examination; it can accompany orthodontic treatment.
Case history on video
Six ear operations, then the training
Mr Leonarda, 35 years old and born in Munich, tells his story in the video. For him, it was his path to improvement.
Background
According to his account, he had severe middle ear infections. His left ear was operated on six times; the operations were intended to improve his hearing. During the sixth, a prosthesis was inserted. In his words, a hearing aid did not really help him, and he describes a clicking noise in his ear since 2013, panic attacks and stomach pain.
The clue
He himself suspected that his Eustachian tube was not working properly. During a later examination, his eardrum moved in time with his breathing. This can indicate that the Eustachian tube stays open instead of opening only briefly during swallowing (patulous Eustachian tube).
The training
While searching for training for a patulous Eustachian tube, he came across FaceFormer therapy, ordered the FaceFormer and started training.
“On the right side, the tube then stabilised completely. And on the left, it gradually improved too. In situations where it’s quite loud, my hearing has improved quite a lot, and my state of mind at the same time.”Mr Leonarda in the video (transcript)
In our view, the ventilation of the middle ear plays a role in courses like this. It takes place via the Eustachian tube, which opens mainly during swallowing. That is why the training addresses the swallowing pattern. You can read more about this under Ear pressure and pressure equalisation and, for children, under Middle ear infection in children.
For us, this is not an isolated case: we see similar courses in many of our patients. Nevertheless, every path is different, and there is no promise of a result. Ear complaints, especially after operations or with a hearing aid, should be assessed by an ENT doctor.
Das Video lädt erst nach dem Klick. Dann werden Daten an YouTube (Google) übertragen.
Mr Leonarda tells his story himself, in just over six minutes. How the ventilation of the middle ear works and why swallowing plays a role in it is explained by Dr. Berndsen in the video “Tinnitus & Ohrendruck: Die wahre Ursache im Mittelohr” (Tinnitus & ear pressure: the true cause in the middle ear).
Case example: sleep
Sleep apnoea: three measurements in two and a half years
A user in his late seventies sent us his story and three findings from the portable sleep lab of an ENT practice. He wishes to remain anonymous, so we name neither him nor the practice.
Moderate obstructive sleep apnoea, the pauses occurred mainly when lying on his back. Just under seven hours were measured.
Mild, currently no treatment required. Exercises during the day, the FaceFormer at night. During these months, he also wore a backpack that prevents lying on the back.
No signs of sleep apnoea syndrome. Continuing with the FaceFormer, without the backpack since September 2023. He lay on his back for almost the entire measurement. The measurement lasted just under two hours.
“In my case, the proof has been provided that the Faceformer works.”The user in his letter to Dr. Berndsen, August 2025
For him, that is the proof. For us, it is a well-documented individual case, and that includes the whole course: in the first three months, positional therapy with the backpack ran alongside. The 2025 measurement was short, as the findings themselves note. It is still remarkable, because it took place almost entirely lying on his back, which is exactly the position in which most of the pauses occurred in 2023.
In our view, the course fits with what we see in many users: when the tongue and lower jaw find their support again, the throat tends to stay open during sleep. More on this under Snoring and sleep apnoea.
The personal experience of one individual; there is no promise of a result. Sleep apnoea requires medical diagnosis and monitoring. Please do not stop a prescribed therapy such as CPAP on your own.
Experience reports
Users report in their own words
These reports were sent to us by users and parents. The quotation appears as it does in the report; we only give names if the person wanted them published, and we reproduce some submissions in anonymised form. Each report describes a personal journey and is not evidence of an effect.
Jaw, jaw joint and tension
27 years of TMD, splints and FaceFormer training
Jaw pain and teeth grinding since the age of 20, various splints, later head, ear and back complaints.
“For 27 years I beat down the doors of every doctor and therapist, but I had never heard a word about the tongue resting posture!”Tanja R., 8 April 2023 · Read report
15 years of jaw pain and FaceFormer training
15 years of jaw pain with locking jaw joints and sleep problems, plus splints, physiotherapy and osteopathy.
“Everything was completely new to me, and my many years of negative therapy experiences had made me sceptical.”Read report
Ten years of facial and jaw pain after a denture
Around ten years of complaints in the head, jaw joint and back since a partial denture, plus swallowing difficulties and dizziness.
“From the very beginning I had the impression that connections were being recognised here that nobody had considered before.”Marlies B., Herne, 30 October 2013 · Read report
Tension in the face, jaw and neck
Tension in the neck, face and jaw, plus snoring, waking at night and a dry mouth.
“I have something in my hands with which I can help myself.”Read report
Jaw tension and teeth grinding
Severe tension in the jaw area, toothache and teeth grinding at night.
“That is why I keep using the FaceFormer regularly on an ongoing basis, every 2 to 3 days.”Bettina F. · Read report
The first weeks with jaw clicking and neck problems
Constant jaw clicking, plus neck pain and headaches. The report describes the first weeks of training.
“Since then I have been doing the exercises every day exactly as described in the instructions.”Read report
Sleep, nose and ear
Snoring and the shared bedroom
Snoring that meant the person no longer slept in the shared bedroom.
“Using the FaceFormer has now allowed me to move back into the shared bedroom.”Read report
Snoring after trying many remedies
Snoring for which braces, nasal strips and an ointment had already been tried.
“After months of use I do still snore sometimes, but considerably more quietly, and my wife no longer has to move to another room at night.”Read report
Paranasal sinuses, headaches and a year of training
Four years of pain at the back of the head and nasal discharge after sphenoid sinusitis and three operations.
“She also said straight away that it would take quite a long time before I felt better and that I would have to do the exercises consistently.”Marita W. · Read report
Years of ringing in the ears and training at the ISST
Many years of severe ear noise in retirement, training at the ISST in Unna.
“The very good professional explanations from Ms Berndsen were a great help to me.”Read report
Children, reported by their parents
A mother on training for her son’s LKGN malformation
A son with a left-sided lip, jaw, palate and nose malformation (LKGN), an open mouth and middle ear effusions, training at the ISST from the age of three.
“It is certainly not always easy to practise consistently with a (young) child, but it pays off.”The B. family, Hochsauerlandkreis, December 2020 · Read report
Jaw anomaly in an eight-year-old
Misalignment of the lower jaw in an eight-year-old, trained according to the exercise plan, above all at night as well.
“But thanks to several weeks of preliminary training according to the exercise plan, it is now working very well.”Read report
Open mouth and weak muscle tone in a five-year-old
A five-year-old with weak mouth muscles, an often open mouth and a forward-pushed tongue, with occupational therapy alongside.
“Since Theo has been using the FaceFormer, he can distinguish more clearly between an open and a closed mouth.”Read report
Keeping at it
More messages
Ten years of braces, then the tongue
Ten years of orthodontic treatment and two attempts at speech therapy. The teeth moved back under the pressure of the tongue. From 2017, therapy at the ISST in Unna, using the method on which FaceFormer training is based.
“My speech became clearer, my posture more upright, my understanding greater; I was now sensitised to this topic.”Marie-Sophie G., Gießen, 2019 · Message to us
What else is involved when you practise
No major complaints, but after a few weeks of training, a close look at what else in the body responds.
“Every time I pressed my lips together, I noticed that the deep abdominal breathing automatically changes and the PF [pelvic floor] tenses.”Claudia B., 2018 · Message to us
Teeth clenching, neck and migraine
Unconscious teeth clenching at night, tension and pain in the jaw, a tense neck for years and frequent, severe migraine attacks. Training since May 2024. Submitted via the feedback form with consent to publication.
“And, best of all, since I’ve been doing Faceformer training, I haven’t had a single migraine attack!”Leonie, 2026 · Message to us
Sinuses and nasal breathing
Recurring inflammation of the maxillary sinuses for decades, plus snoring. Hardly any mouth closure since childhood, with a pronounced overbite. Training during the day according to the instructions and at night with the FaceFormer.
“I was sceptical, but I kept going. […] I have got completely used to my new plastic night-time companion, and nasal breathing has become a habit during the day as well.”User, late sixties · Submission to us, anonymised, 2025
Sleep apnoea, ventilator and splint
Severe sleep apnoea. She could not tolerate the ventilator even with other settings; with the mandibular advancement splint that was prescribed afterwards, she developed problems with her bite after a few months and stopped using it. She started the exercises and used the FaceFormer at night. After around nine months, she had her sleep measured again.
“The result was very pleasing. […] Perhaps the conditioning will also work (different position of the lower jaw and tongue, different swallowing, different breathing through the nose) and at some point I will be able to do without it [the FaceFormer].”User · Submission to us, anonymised, 2025
Ménière’s disease and jaw joint
Ménière’s disease, a functional disorder of the jaw joints (TMD) and vestibular migraine. A short message after two months of training.
“Since using the Faceformer for 2 months, all symptoms have consistently been reduced to a bearable level. […] I am continuing with the treatment!”User · Submission to us, anonymised, 2025
Tinnitus and sleepless nights
Tinnitus and hardly any sleep; via many detours to therapy at the ISST in Unna, using the method on which FaceFormer training is based. Since then, her own exercises at home.
“After a short treatment, the symptoms decreased very quickly. […] That is why I do my exercises two to three times a day, and that is now part of my life like brushing my teeth.”Patient at the ISST · Submission to us, anonymised, 2019
Personal experiences of individual people. Every course is different; there is no guarantee of results. Please do not stop medically prescribed treatments such as CPAP, a ventilator, a splint or medication on your own initiative; you decide on this together with your doctor.
Questions
Frequently asked
Are there before and after images of FaceFormer training?
Yes, but deliberately few. We only show images whose publication the person concerned has agreed to. At present, this is the case report on open bite with five images from an orthodontic practice. In addition, there are reports in people’s own words and a case history on video.
Can I expect the same after three months?
No, that cannot be inferred from a single case. How teeth, bite or complaints change depends on factors including age, growth, severity and how regularly you train. A misalignment of the teeth or jaw should be examined by a dentist or orthodontist.
What do studies say about FaceFormer therapy?
You can find what has been studied, with figures and limitations, on the Studies and science page. Case examples and experience reports are no substitute for a study.
Can I share my own experience?
Gladly, via the feedback form, with pictures if you wish. We only publish a report with your name with your express consent; submissions without consent are published at most in fully anonymised form. Pictures anonymised on request. There is no payment or reward in return.
Get involved
Has the FaceFormer helped you? Show others.
Tell us how you train and what has changed for you. If you like, send before and after images too; the form has an upload field for this.
Only with consent
We only publish your report with your name with your express consent; without consent, at most in fully anonymised form.
Anonymous on request
On request, we show images anonymised, and names only in the way you want.
Nothing in return
There is no money, no discount and no gift for a report. It must be your own experience.
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 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.