Suboxone, a widely prescribed medication for opioid use disorder, has recently come under intense scrutiny for the serious impacts it can have on oral health. Reports have surfaced linking long-term Suboxone use, particularly in its sublingual (under-the-tongue) form, to significant dental injuries, including rapid tooth decay, tooth loss, and oral infections.
If you or a loved one has suffered severe dental damage after taking Suboxone, you may be eligible to file a Suboxone lawsuit and pursue financial compensation.
If you’re considering taking legal action for Suboxone injuries, you may be wondering what you can expect. Here we’ll break down the different types of compensation you could receive in a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit, what factors influence the value of your claim, and what to expect as these lawsuits unfold nationwide.
What Compensation Can You Get in a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit?
If you suffered dental damage after using Suboxone, you may be entitled to compensation. Here’s what a Suboxone lawsuit could cover:
- Emergency dental work, surgeries, implants, and long-term care
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and disfigurement
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Punitive damages for failure to warn about risks
- Factors that impact value: severity of decay, length of use, impact on life, and supporting documents
Why Are People Filing Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits?
Thousands of individuals have come forward alleging that Suboxone caused serious and sometimes irreversible dental damage. The active ingredient in Suboxone—buprenorphine—can cause a drop in saliva production when taken sublingually. Saliva helps protect teeth and neutralize acids. Without it, the risk of cavities, infections, and enamel erosion skyrockets.
The FDA updated Suboxone’s warning label in January 2022 to include risks of dental problems, but many patients had already suffered damage by then. Plaintiffs argue that the manufacturer, Indivior, failed to adequately warn users and medical professionals about the dental side effects earlier, despite knowing the risks.
These cases are not just about pain or discomfort; they involve costly treatments like root canals, extractions, dentures, and implants. Many victims are now pursuing compensation through product liability lawsuits.
What Kinds of Compensation Are Available?
Suboxone lawsuits generally seek compensation through a legal concept called damages. These damages fall into several categories. The type and amount you may receive depends on the extent of your injuries, how those injuries have impacted your life, and the strength of the evidence in your case.
Medical expenses
Dental work is expensive, especially when it’s not cosmetic but necessary to repair structural damage or alleviate chronic pain. Compensation can cover:
- Emergency dental procedures
- Oral surgeries or extractions
- Root canals and fillings
- Dental implants, crowns, or bridges
- Long-term care, such as dentures or prosthetics
- Follow-up appointments and ongoing treatment
If your dental damage required hospital visits, anesthesia, or medications, those costs may also be included.
Pain and suffering
Living with chronic dental pain or facial infections can be agonizing. You may be entitled to non-economic damages that reflect this suffering, both physical and emotional. Many plaintiffs describe embarrassment, social withdrawal, anxiety, and depression tied to sudden, visible changes in their appearance or speech.
Courts recognize this emotional toll and often include compensation for pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Lost wages and future earning potential
For some people, serious dental issues have led to missed workdays, job loss, or reduced earning capacity. For example, individuals in customer-facing roles or vocal professions may find it difficult to perform their jobs with damaged or missing teeth. Compensation may be awarded for:
- Time missed from work
- Reduced productivity
- Loss of future earnings
Documentation such as pay stubs, employer statements, and medical notes can help support these claims.
Punitive damages
In some Suboxone lawsuits, plaintiffs may pursue punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate you directly for your losses, but to punish the manufacturer if the court finds their actions were especially reckless or harmful.
To justify punitive damages, your legal team would need to show that Indivior:
- Knew about the dental risks but failed to act
- Delayed adding adequate warnings to labels
- Prioritized profits over patient safety
Punitive damages can significantly increase the total value of a settlement or jury verdict, but they are only awarded in more severe cases where there is clear evidence of gross negligence or misconduct.
What Factors Influence the Value of a Suboxone Dental Injury Case?
No two cases are identical, so the value of a Suboxone lawsuit can vary widely. Several key factors can influence how much compensation you might receive:
Severity of dental damage
Cases involving multiple extractions, implants, or reconstructive surgery are generally valued higher than those with minor decay. The more extensive and irreversible the damage, the greater the potential compensation.
Length and type of Suboxone use
How long you took Suboxone—and whether you used the sublingual film or tablets—matters. Those who used Suboxone long-term under the tongue without any prior dental issues have stronger cases, especially if they began treatment before the 2022 warning label update.
Impact on daily life
Lawsuits also account for how the injury has affected your daily functioning. If tooth loss affected your speech, nutrition, appearance, or mental health, that can increase the value of your claim. Sworn statements, therapist notes, or testimony from family members can help paint a fuller picture of this impact.
Supporting documentation
Clear and organized records make a big difference. Dental records, before-and-after photos, prescription history, and receipts for out-of-pocket costs all help prove your case. The more evidence you can provide to connect Suboxone use to your dental issues, the stronger your lawsuit will be.
Are There Settlement Amounts Available Yet?
Suboxone lawsuits are still in the early stages. A large number of cases are expected to be consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL), which allows similar lawsuits filed in federal courts throughout the U.S. to be handled together under one judge more efficiently.
There are no confirmed Suboxone settlements or verdicts yet. However, based on similar product liability lawsuits involving defective drugs and medical devices, potential payouts could range from $50,000 to $300,000 or more per plaintiff, depending on the strength and specifics of each case.
If you’ve experienced significant dental damage and related hardships, it’s worth speaking with an attorney to evaluate your potential claim and learn what compensation you might qualify for.
Getting Help with a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit
Dealing with sudden dental injuries can be painful, expensive, and traumatizing, especially when they result from a medication you took in good faith. It’s not just about cavities or root canals. It’s about your health, self-confidence, and financial security.
The growing number of Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits signals a shared struggle among users who were not properly warned. If you’re dealing with tooth loss, infections, or disfigurement tied to Suboxone, pursuing legal action could provide the relief you need—and hold the drugmakers accountable.
Free Consultation for Suboxone Lawsuits
The Lawsuit Legal News lawyers are actively reviewing Suboxone tooth decay claims across the country and can help you understand your legal options. Call (866) 535-9515 or fill out the contact form today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
They will listen, review your case, and guide you every step of the way. Compensation may not reverse the damage, but it can help you obtain the dental care you need, cover your losses, and face the future with confidence. Let the LLN attorneys fight for what you deserve.