Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a non-invasive tool that measures the electrical signals of masticatory and related muscles, allowing for the quantitative assessment of muscle activity, asymmetry, coordination, muscle ten sion, and fatigue. It plays a significant role in the clinical diagnosis and treatment evaluation in dentistry. sEMG is widely used to diagnose and assess treatment outcomes in temporomandibular disorders, oromandibular dystonia, orthodontic treatment, prosthetic rehabilitation, and implant-supported restorations. This article explains the basic principles and characteristics of sEMG. Furthermore, it provides a detailed presentation of the configura tion of devices and software, types and attachment methods of surface electrodes, sEMG testing protocols, and methods for analyzing results. This comprehensive review offers guidelines to help clinicians and researchers understand and effectively utilize the sEMG testing process in clinical and research applications.