Ectopic deciduous canine tooth inside the submandibular duct: A rare case report with literature review

Obstructive sialadenitis is the most prevalent salivary gland disorder, with sialolithiasis, most commonly affecting the submandibular gland, being the leading cause. Rarely, other obstructive bodies can mimic sialoliths in clinical and radiographic presentations. This report presents a rare case of an ectopic tooth discovered accidentally within the submandibular duct. The tooth was successfully removed using a combined intraoral sialendoscopic approach, emphasizing the favorable outcome of such treatment option. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were performed to examine the tooth-like structure to identify its nature and justify presence in such an anatomical location. Findings revealed that the structure was not a sialolith, but rather a hypomineralized deciduous canine tooth, likely entrapped during embryologic development. This is a rare encounter that should be kept in mind while managing submandibular obstructive etiologies. A summary of related cases in literature is included to provide context for this rare presentation.