This study was performed to investigate the influence of lateral guidance pattern and chewing pattern on masticatory muscle activity and occlusal contact pattern. Twenty-five patients with temporomandibular disorders and thirty students without temporomandibular disorders were selected for this study. Electromyographic examination and occlusal contact examination were performed simultaneously with Bio-Pak System (Bioresearch Inc.,U.S.A.) and T-Scan System(Tekscan Co., USA). The obtained results were as follows : 1. The EMG activity of masseter and anterior temporal muscle in patient group with canine guidance was higher than with non-canine guidance. but there was no significant difference (p>0.05). 2. The EMG activity of anterior temporal muscle in normal group with non-canine guidance was higher at preferred chewing side than at opposite side (p<0.05). 3. The EMG activity of masseter muscle was higher in normal group than in patient group (p<0.05). 4. The number of occlusal contact in patient group with canine guidance was higher than with non-canine guidance, but there was no significant difference (p>0.05). 5. The occlusal contact force at preferred chewing side was higher in patient group than in normal group(p<0.05).