Suboxone received FDA approval for the treatment of opioid addiction over twenty years ago. After the drug was adapted from an oral tablet to a sublingual film, Suboxone users discovered that one of the medication’s active ingredients had been destroying the enamel of their teeth, resulting in cavities, gum problems, infections, and even tooth loss. Suboxone lawsuit plaintiffs who used the sublingual film medication to reduce their dependence on opioids before the changes to Suboxone labeling in 2022 are now filing Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits to seek compensation from pharmaceutical manufacturer Indivior.
Many have struggled to afford the level of dental care required to properly treat their injuries or suffered other financial setbacks related to their tooth decay. Additionally, Suboxone lawsuit plaintiffs have endured physical and emotional agony as a result of their extensive dental injuries. The team of personal injury attorneys affiliated with Lawsuit Legal News is eager to offer high-quality legal services to Suboxone plaintiffs who are considering filing a product liability lawsuit to recuperate their losses. Schedule a free consultation by calling (866) 535-9515 or filling out an online contact form today.
Suboxone Users Seek Reimbursement for the Financial Burden of Dental Repair Work
Healthy teeth are shielded from all manner of infection-causing bacteria and corrosive substances by a mineral-based layer known as enamel. Diet, genetics, and hygiene practices can all play a role in maintaining or destroying tooth enamel, as can certain medications. Buprenorphine-based drugs like Suboxone appear to fall into the latter category. Many Suboxone users are learning that after tooth enamel has been eroded, it can’t return to its original state.
In effect, a Suboxone user with marred tooth enamel can only address the consequences of the damage and try to prevent further damage from occurring. Plaintiffs in the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits may be able to recover compensation for costs related to:
- Dental surgery to remove rotted teeth and insert implants
- Denture fittings and the dentures themselves
- Procedures for root canals, cavity fillings, and crowns
- Medication to treat an infection or gum disease
- Medical imaging such as X-rays
In some cases, a plaintiff’s insurance considers a procedure unnecessary or cosmetic, meaning that they may incur considerable out-of-pocket medical expenses. These costs may be eligible for compensation in a product liability lawsuit.
Suboxone Tooth Decay Can Cause Severe Discomfort and Stress
As many Suboxone users already know, dealing with ongoing pain and sensitivity is a miserable experience, often marked by irritability, difficulty concentrating, and an overall loss of quality of life. Suboxone users with compromised tooth enamel can develop a sensitivity to hot and cold, as well as experience chronic pain as cavities develop or nerves become exposed. To fix the damage, a dentist may need to drill into or even extract teeth.
Suboxone users may be able to pursue damages for their pain and suffering, as well as the general negative impact their injuries have had on their lifestyle. For example, a Suboxone user with tooth decay may be forced to alter their diet by eliminating sugary, crunchy, and acidic foods, in addition to anything served at extreme temperatures. For someone who enjoys cooking, eating out with friends, or simply wants to appreciate a meal without having to worry about how they chew or what ingredients it contains, dental injuries can be a significant impediment to partaking in life’s everyday pleasures.
Suboxone Related Dental Injuries May Yield Permanent Cosmetic Consequences
While teeth function as the first step in the digestive process and allow us to enunciate speech, their aesthetic value also carries significant weight. Suboxone plaintiffs may have grounds for pursuing compensation for disfiguring dental injuries, as well as the emotional implications of having visible tooth decay. Unfortunately, some people consider missing teeth as evidence of laziness, poverty, or illicit drug use, and will use this as an excuse to mistreat others.
These preconceived notions can not only influence how a Suboxone user with missing or damaged teeth is viewed by others, but also how they regard and represent themselves. If a person is experiencing tooth decay, they can become hyperaware of the cultural stigma surrounding poor teeth and attempt to hide their dental injuries by refraining from smiling or speaking whenever possible.
Many Suboxone users with dental injuries have reported that this is a major source of anxiety for them in their daily lives. The combination of rude or discriminatory behavior from other people and diminished self-esteem can understandably cause emotional distress for a Suboxone plaintiff, which can potentially be compensated in a product liability lawsuit.
Suboxone Users With Tooth Decay May Face Limited Employment Opportunities
It can be difficult for Suboxone users who are grappling with dental injuries to establish or advance their careers. A Suboxone user may need to miss key training or meetings to attend dentist appointments, undergo procedures, and recover from receiving treatment. Not only can this result in lost wages, but there may be larger ramifications for their professional reputation if they are seen as unreliable. A manager may assign the Suboxone user less important tasks or limit their role within the company, and co-workers may hesitate to collaborate.
Too often, stereotypes about people with damaged teeth persist in the workplace, even during the interview process. A Suboxone user experiencing tooth decay may become self-conscious over this fact and come across as too timid, unapproachable, or incapable if they are trying to avoid smiling or showing their teeth while talking. Tooth decay can also hinder a Suboxone user from building professional relationships and performing well in presentations. Over time, they may be passed over for promotions or barred from management tracks, leading to a lower earning capacity.
Contact Our Product Liability Lawyers About Your Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit
By failing to warn Suboxone users that its buprenorphine-naloxone drug was capable of causing extensive dental injuries, Indivior has created a tenuous legal situation for itself. To ensure that Suboxone manufacturers are held liable in the product liability lawsuits, we encourage you to engage the services of a mass tort attorney who has an established record with claims involving defective medications, like the Tepezza hearing loss lawsuits. Our team at Lawsuit Legal News can connect you with experienced defective drug lawyers who will not hesitate to confront powerful pharmaceutical companies about their negligence.
We recognize that Suboxone users with tooth decay have suffered unfairly. Engaging a reputable Suboxone tooth decay lawyer can help ensure a plaintiff’s settlement reflects the fact that they have had to foot the bill for dental repairs, experienced professional and financial setbacks, and survived the multitude of emotional costs associated with dental injuries. Our team is available to help you schedule a free consultation when you get in touch with us by calling (866) 535-9515 or filling out an online contact form today.