Understanding Suboxone-Related Dental Injuries

Suboxone is a combination medication containing buprenorphine and naloxone, primarily used to treat opioid dependence. For many patients, it’s been a life-saving alternative that helps reduce cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms. The drug is most commonly administered as a sublingual film, placed under the tongue, where it dissolves into the bloodstream over several minutes.

This delivery method was intended to be more convenient and tamper-resistant. But while Suboxone has played a key role in addressing the opioid crisis, its long-term effects on dental health have sparked growing concern across the medical and legal communities—leading many injured users to consider filing a Suboxone lawsuit.

Is Suboxone Causing Your Tooth Damage? What You Need to Know About Dental Injury Lawsuits

  • Suboxone’s acidic film and saliva suppression can cause rapid enamel loss and decay
  • Common injuries include cavities, gum disease, chronic oral infections, and total tooth loss
  • Many users needed extractions, root canals, or full-mouth reconstruction after long-term use
  • Lawsuits allege Indivior failed to warn patients before the 2022 label update
  • You may qualify for compensation if you developed dental injuries after using Suboxone film
  • Legal claims can cover dental bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and disfigurementlaim

How Suboxone Contributes to Dental Damage

Dental health problems linked to Suboxone are not minor side effects—they can be severe, painful, and costly. Most reported issues stem from the acidity of the medication and its impact on saliva production. Together, these factors can lead to serious, progressive tooth damage over time.

Acid exposure and enamel erosion

The sublingual film form of Suboxone is highly acidic. When held under the tongue, the drug lowers oral pH levels, creating a hostile environment for enamel. Saliva—your body’s natural defense against acid—is also reduced by Suboxone use. Over time, this combination can lead to enamel demineralization, one of the earliest signs of tooth decay.

Saliva suppression and bacterial growth

Suboxone can significantly reduce saliva flow, leading to a condition called xerostomia (dry mouth). Without enough saliva to balance oral pH and wash away food particles, bacteria like Streptococcus mutans can multiply rapidly. These bacteria are known to cause dental caries (cavities) and periodontal disease.

Common Dental Injuries Reported by Suboxone Users

Patients using Suboxone for months or years have reported a range of dental issues, many requiring intensive and expensive dental treatments. If you’ve taken Suboxone and now face oral health problems, you’re not alone.

Tooth decay and cavities

One of the earliest and most common complaints is advanced tooth decay. As enamel erodes, users may notice increased tooth sensitivity, discoloration, or pain. Cavities can form quickly in this environment, especially without regular preventive care.

Gum disease and oral infections

The reduction in saliva and increased bacterial growth also heightens the risk of gum inflammation and periodontal disease. Early symptoms may include bleeding gums, bad breath, and gum recession. If left untreated, this condition can lead to tooth loss and chronic oral infections.

Tooth loss and reconstructive dentistry

In more advanced cases, Suboxone users have required tooth extractions, root canals, or full crown replacements. These treatments can be emotionally and financially draining, especially when the underlying cause was not made clear to the user before beginning treatment.

Many Suboxone users were never warned about these serious dental risks. While the FDA did issue a label update in early 2022 acknowledging the potential for dental damage, countless individuals had already experienced injuries by that point. These developments have prompted a growing number of product liability lawsuits against Indivior Inc., the drug’s manufacturer.

Plaintiffs allege that the company failed to provide adequate warnings about the drug’s dental risks, effectively depriving patients and their doctors of the information they needed to prevent long-term harm. The failure to disclose known risks is a central issue in many of these lawsuits, which aim to hold Indivior accountable for the damages caused.

Who May Qualify for a Suboxone Dental Injury Lawsuit?

If you used Suboxone in film form prior to the 2022 label update and later developed severe dental complications, you may be eligible to file a claim. Legal eligibility can vary slightly by jurisdiction, but most cases are built around one or more of the following criteria:

Key factors for eligibility

  • You were prescribed and used Suboxone sublingual film
  • Your use of the medication occurred before the FDA’s 2022 warning label change
  • You have since developed significant dental injuries such as decay, gum disease, tooth loss, or dry mouth
  • You were not informed of the dental risks before beginning treatment

Even if you are uncertain whether your dental issues are directly related to Suboxone use, it is worth speaking with a legal professional. A qualified attorney can help you assess your case, gather medical evidence, and explain your options.

Damages You May Be Able to Recover

If you qualify to join a Suboxone lawsuit, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the losses you’ve suffered. Compensation may include both economic and non-economic damages, depending on your specific circumstances.

Examples of recoverable damages

  • Dental expenses – including fillings, crowns, extractions, root canals, and implants
  • Medical treatment – for infections or related conditions
  • Lost wages – if you missed work due to treatment or pain
  • Pain and suffering – for physical discomfort, emotional distress, and loss of confidence
  • Decreased quality of life – related to ongoing dental health problems

Legal action may also serve as a way to hold manufacturers accountable, helping prevent further harm to others.

Suboxone Dental Injury Claims Are Time-Sensitive

Defective drug claims like those involving Suboxone are subject to statutes of limitations, which differ by state. These laws set strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit. If you wait too long, you may lose the right to pursue compensation, even if your case is valid.

That’s why it’s important to act quickly if you believe Suboxone caused your dental injuries. Collect your dental records, prescription history, and any documentation of your symptoms. These will be important for building your case.

If you’ve suffered from painful, expensive, or disfiguring dental damage after using Suboxone, you deserve compensation for your injuries. The Lawsuit Legal News Lawyers can help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.

Our Suboxone attorneys are actively investigating Suboxone-related dental injury cases nationwide. We understand how devastating dental complications are, not just to your physical health, but also your finances and overall well-being. We can guide you through every step of the legal process and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

Call us today at (866) 535-9515 or fill out our secure contact form to schedule your free consultation. Let our team fight so you can heal and face the future with confidence.