We present a case involving an unusually large calculus of Wharton's duct. To gain insight into the formation of this calculus, detailed structural properties were investigated using an X-ray diffraction technique. A 70-year old man, brought a calculus to a dental consultation, by himself, when it pelforated the floor of the mouth. The calculus was unusually long, measuring 4.5 cm in length. X-ray diffraction and micro-FT-1R analyses were employed to investigate structural properties of the calculus, which suggested that its stratified structure, reflecting compositional changes in the microenvironment, was a result of intemuttent and incremental growth.
Salivary calculus is an ectopic calcification of high frequency in oral region. Many previous reports on the composition and structure of salivary calculus only showed apatite crystal as the main constitution but were not sufficient to clarify the formation mechanism. In this study, structural properties of the salivary calculus were investigated by the high-reproducibility non-destructive method such as optical microscope, micro-CT, micro-FT-IR and micro-XRD. In some cases, SEM, BSI, and EDS analysis were also carried out. The results showed that the salivary calculi were grouped into three by structure, and grouped into three or four by chemical composition and crystal components. The difference in structure and composition should be reflected by the formation mechanism.
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