The major salivary glands were examined with 99m-Tc-pertechnetate scintigraphy in randomly selected subjects with (n = 30) and without (n = 12) symptoms of dry mouth and/or eyes, and in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (1 degree SS, n = 17). The scans were quantitatively evaluated and compared to other objective tests used to diagnose 1 degree SS. As compared with those for asymptomatic subjects, most values for the scintigraphic variables were non-significantly lower for symptomatic subjects and the time-activity curves were slightly flatter for all major salivary glands. In patients with 1 degree SS most values for the scintigraphic variables were significantly lowered and the submandibular glands were the glands most affected, as reflected in a flat time-activity curve, while the parotid glands were mainly affected during stimulated secretion. The scintigraphic variables correlated with the self-rated dryness of mouth in symptomatic subjects and with the abnormality of sialometry results in patients with 1 degree SS. We conclude that salivary gland scintigraphy is a sensitive and valid method to measure salivary gland function and abnormalities.