Journal of Dental Research, Vol 60, 1386-1395, Copyright © 1981 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Salivary calculi: ultrastructural morphology and bacterial etiology
J. Lustmann and A. Shteyer
Ultrastructural morphology of 16 salivary calculi was studied by means of
transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The external surface was
mostly globular or coarse, and on high magnifications and features could be
divided into four main groups: a) amorphic calcified deposits covering
extensive areas, b) other areas covered with crystals in a variety of
arrangements, c) heavy accumulations of calcified rod-like and
filamentouslike microorganisms, and d) platelet crystals in juxtaposition
to calcified microorganisms in several areas. In most calculi the split
area was found to be laminated. It is suggested that microorganisms have an
important role in the formation and growth of salivary calculi.
