Answers before you ask
Sialolithiasis · Sialadenitis · Duct Irrigation
Salivary gland care · Sialography · Irrigation · Ultrasound · University-level oral radiology diagnosis
Oral radiology specialist diagnosis
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Definition
The major salivary glands — parotid, submandibular, and sublingual — produce saliva essential for digestion, oral health, and speech.
Sialolithiasis (salivary duct stones) is the most common salivary gland disorder, where calcium deposits block the duct and cause painful gland swelling — particularly during meals when saliva production increases.
Sialadenitis (salivary gland inflammation) can be caused by duct blockage, dehydration, or bacterial infection, presenting as gland swelling, pain, and sometimes fever.
Diagnosis includes clinical examination, ultrasound imaging, and sialography (contrast imaging of the ducts).
Treatment ranges from massage, hydration, and salivary duct irrigation for mild cases, to stone removal for larger calculi.
Salivary duct stones form when minerals in saliva crystallize and accumulate in the duct. Contributing factors include dehydration, reduced saliva flow, and duct anatomy. The exact cause is not always identifiable.
Small stones may be dislodged with massage, hydration, warm compresses, and salivary duct irrigation. Larger stones may require minimally invasive removal procedures. Rarely, surgical gland removal is needed for recurrent severe cases.
Salivary duct irrigation is generally well tolerated. Stone removal procedures are performed under local anesthesia.
Yes — recurrence is possible, particularly for stone formation. Adequate hydration and regular salivary gland massage are reported to help reduce recurrence risk.
Patient reviews are available on NAVER Place.
Who stands behind these answers
Hospital Director
Dr. Choi Yong-seok
Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology · Integrated Dentistry · Implantology
“I believe the trust patients feel during treatment matters more than the result itself. Honest explanation and accurate diagnosis — that is where good dentistry begins.”
What happens when you call
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Name, contact, and a brief note on symptoms. We respond within 30 minutes on weekdays.
02
An oral radiology specialist reviews the scans together with you on screen. Alternative options are also discussed.
03
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