Introduction:

temporomandibular joint is one of the most complex craniofacial structures; it maintains a close relationship with the neuromuscular, postural-tonic systems and the dental occlusion.

Objective:

to identify the vertical variations of the lower third of the face, its relationship with temporomandibular disorders and care needs.

Methods:

an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in the period from January 2017 to February 2018, at the "Antonio Briones Montoto" Teaching Stomatological Clinic. The universe was constituted by 803 students of the basic secondary schools of the health area near the center, the sample was constituted by 256 schoolchildren. The data analysis was performed in frequency distribution tables and processed using statistical techniques.

Results:

of the students examined 14,8 % presented facial proportion, 33,9 % showed a decrease in the lower third and 51,1 % in the lower third increased, adolescents with temporomandibular disorders prevailed 52,3 % with the lower third of the increased face predominating the association with this disorder, 24,2 % of them presented Moyers Class I Syndrome and 18,3 % Moyers Class II Syndrome related respectively to temporomandibular joint disorders, corrective treatment was most needed ( 47,4 %).

Conclusions:

the increased lower third was the greatest disorder determined presenting a statistically significant relationship with temporomandibular joint disorders regardless of gender, the Moyers class I syndrome was the most predominant and corrective orthodontic treatment showing the greatest need for health care.

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