Research and Innovations

Scientific precision – in the service of quality of life

Prof. Dr. Dr. Hermann F. Sailer is regarded worldwide as one of the defining figures in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Through surgical innovation, international research, and academic vision, he has significantly advanced the field and helped countless people regain not only the aesthetics and function of their faces but also their dignity.

His scientific work has always been guided by the goal of harmonizing functionality and aesthetics of the human face.

In doing so, he combined clinical experience with modern research, setting new standards in reconstruction, implantology, and functional surgery.

Many of his developments – from novel surgical techniques to biomaterial-based therapies – have been incorporated into international guidelines and continue to shape teaching and clinical practice worldwide.

Thus, his name stands not only for medical excellence but also for the close connection between science and practice – always with the patient at the center.

Prof. Dr. Dr. Hermann F. Sailer mastered like few others the art of linking science with surgical practice. His research led not only to fundamental insights but also to concrete surgical methods that have shaped the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery worldwide. Many of these innovations are now part of international guidelines and are considered standards in clinical practice and teaching.

• Reconstructive facial surgery with lyophilized cartilage – introduction of freeze-dried donor cartilage as a substitute material to avoid additional harvesting of the patient’s own tissue.
• Dental implants in atrophic maxilla – combination of implantation with simultaneous jaw reconstruction.
• Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) – use of bone-generating proteins for bone regeneration without autologous grafts.
• Resorbable osteosynthesis materials – development of self-dissolving fixation systems made from lactic acid polymers.
• Treatment of cleft lip and palate – development of interdisciplinary concepts for functional and aesthetic rehabilitation (the Sailer Protocol).
• Surgery for craniofacial anomalies – innovative surgical procedures to correct complex malformations of the skull and face.
• Surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) – establishment of the technique of bimaxillary counterclockwise rotation advancement to expand the airways.
• Theory of the “Anteface” – anthropological studies on facial proportions and the formulation of a modern standard of beauty.
• Distraction osteogenesis of the maxilla and mandible.
• CT-based airway analyses – new radiological methods for planning and evaluating the success of complex procedures.

Prof. Dr. Dr. Hermann F. Sailer is among the leading innovators in oral and maxillofacial surgery. His work was always driven by the search for solutions – not only to medical challenges but also to questions of aesthetics, functionality, and quality of life.

In doing so, he combined clinical experience with scientific curiosity and interdisciplinary openness.

His innovations range from new surgical techniques and biomaterial-based developments to theoretical concepts that fundamentally reshaped the understanding of beauty, proportion, and harmony.

Many of these ideas have been incorporated into international guidelines and continue to influence both modern facial surgery and the aesthetic self-perception of entire generations.

Based on decades of research and anthropological analysis, Prof. Dr. Dr. Hermann F. Sailer developed the concept of the “Anteface” – a modern ideal of beauty that differs significantly from traditional notions. Instead of static symmetry and formal perfection, it emphasizes a forward-oriented, dynamic facial profile that unites expressiveness, authenticity, and functional harmony.

With this theory, Sailer broke away from conventional norms of aesthetics.

Beauty is no longer defined by rigid systems of measurement but understood through the interplay of form, function, and individuality. The “Anteface” combines aesthetic considerations with medical and functional relevance – for example, in the treatment of dysgnathia, craniofacial anomalies, aesthetic-functional reconstructions, and even in the therapy of sleep apnea syndrome.

The insights formulated by Sailer continue to shape not only aesthetic and reconstructive surgery but also extend far beyond medicine – into fields such as design, art, anthropology, and media aesthetics. Beauty is reinterpreted: not as absolute symmetry, but as the expression of a unique identity in which naturalness and proportionality are key.

At a time when facial rejuvenation procedures relied almost exclusively on tightening the skin, Prof. Dr. Dr. Hermann F. Sailer developed an entirely new concept: the “Reverse Facelift.” Instead of putting the skin under tension – often resulting in an unnatural, mask-like appearance – he placed the original bone structure at the center of treatment. In this procedure, the upper and especially the lower jaw are advanced forward through a rotational spatial movement. The result is not only an aesthetic improvement – creating the Anteface or Hyperanteface – but also an expansion of the oropharyngeal airway, which enhances oxygen intake and contributes to rejuvenation.

Particularly in the midface, the natural bony foundation is purposefully reconstructed and built up. This creates a youthful harmony that radiates from within, rather than being merely superficially concealed.

The outcome is an authentic, refreshed appearance that preserves natural expression and respects individual identity. With this method, Sailer set new standards in combining functionality, naturalness, and longevity – ushering aesthetic facial surgery into a new era.

For a long time, obstructive sleep apnea was considered an incurable condition. Millions of people suffered from nightly breathing interruptions, chronic fatigue, and a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Treatment was usually limited to aids such as breathing masks (CPAP) or other symptomatic measures.

Prof. Dr. Dr. Hermann F. Sailer developed a surgical approach that eliminates the root cause. Using the technique he established – bimaxillary counterclockwise rotation advancement – the upper and lower jaws are repositioned in such a way that the upper airways remain permanently expanded. This prevents nighttime collapse and surgically cures sleep apnea.

This procedure marked a paradigm shift: away from purely treating symptoms and toward lasting healing. For patients, it means not only restful sleep but also a significant improvement in health, performance, and quality of life.

Prof. Dr. Dr. Hermann F. Sailer devoted himself not only to curing acute diseases and reconstructing the face but also to exploring how people can preserve their health, vitality, and quality of life into advanced age. Under the guiding principle of “Longevity Medicine,” he developed concepts that combine cutting-edge research with preventive and regenerative medicine.

His approach goes beyond classical surgery: through precise diagnostics, metabolic analyses, nutritional medicine, as well as innovative cell and tissue therapies, the biological foundations of aging are specifically addressed. The goal is to slow down the aging process, prevent disease, and strengthen the body’s regenerative capacities. Prof. Sailer’s concept of increasing oxygen intake by expanding the upper airways has been scientifically proven to rejuvenate prematurely aged organs.

In doing so, Sailer created a treatment model aimed not merely at a longer life, but at a longer healthy life – characterized by vitality, mental clarity, and a youthful appearance. His work in longevity unites medical prevention, aesthetic considerations, and holistic quality of life into a forward-looking model of modern medicine.