This study was conducted for the assessment of the usefulness of masseteric silent period on electromyogram as a diagnostic method for temporomandibular disorder. Of students and dentists in Dental College of Yonsei University and patients, 36 experimental subjects with symptoms such as clicking sound, pain in the temporomandibular joint area and limitation of jaw movement, and 33 control subjects without such symptoms were selected for this study. On each subject electromyographic masseter muscle silent period followed by mention tap was recorded with surface electrodes and analysed with computerized system. The following results were obtained: 1. The mean silent period was 36.97 ± 9.23 msec in experimental group, and 25.62 ± 5.24 msec in control group respectively. 2. There were no statistically significant differences in silent period between male and female in either experimental and control group. 3. Silent periods in experimental group were more prolonged than those of control group. (P<0.01) Taken all together, electromyographic masseter muscle silent period may be useful for diagnosis and evaluation of temporomandibular disorder.