Abstract: The exact cause of sialoliths formation is still unknown. In recent researches, the concentration of organic and inorganic ion in saliva, bacterium infection and inflammation, the duct anatomy and the general factors are considered to be the etiologic factors. There are several hypotheses of sialoliths formation, including mineral nucleus hypothesis, retrograde theory, microlith theory and degenerative organelle hypothesis. This article reviews the recent advances in the etiologic factors of sialoliths formation.