Scanning electron micrographic features of a giant submandibular sialolith.

To recognize recently appearing mineralization phenomena, one must study the external surface of the sialoliths, since it is not possible to study them in the central portions of sialoliths. The authors examined the external surface of a sialolith by scanning electron microscopy and analyzed its microstructures. The study revealed the presence of numerous microstructures of different shapes (nodular, laminar, reticular, microgranular, and multinodular) and variable size arranged in a haphazard fashion. The diverse microstructures encountered strongly suggest that different mechanisms of mineralization occur during growth and development of the sialoliths.