Ta. Imbery et Pa. Edwards, NECROTIZING SIALOMETAPLASIA - LITERATURE-REVIEW AND CARE REPORTS, The Journal of the American Dental Association, 127(7), 1996, pp. 1087-1092
The authors describe necrotizing sialometaplasia, a benign inflammator
y lesion primarily involving the minor salivary glands of the hard pal
ate. The lesion presents itself as a deep-seated palatal ulcer with cl
inical and histologic features mimicking those of a malignant neoplasm
. The lesion is believed to be the result of vascular ischemia initiat
ed by trauma. An incisional biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosi
s, and the lesion heals by secondary intention within four to 10 weeks
.