A Nationwide Problem
Across America, thousands of patients prescribed Suboxone sublingual strips for opioid addiction treatment are discovering a devastating side effect – severe dental damage that was never properly disclosed by the manufacturer. These thin, dissolving strips contain highly acidic compounds that have caused widespread tooth decay, fractures, and even complete tooth loss in patients who were simply trying to overcome addiction.
While following their prescribed treatment plans exactly as directed, these individuals now face painful dental procedures, permanent disfigurement, and extensive costs rarely covered by insurance. The manufacturers of Suboxone failed to provide adequate warnings about these serious dental risks until 2022, long after many patients had already suffered irreversible damage.
At William Mattar Law Offices, our Suboxone attorneys are committed to fighting for justice on behalf of those harmed by this medication. Our experienced legal team understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries have taken on individuals and families nationwide, and we’re dedicated to holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their failure to warn about these devastating side effects.
If you or a loved one has experienced significant dental problems after using Suboxone sublingual strips, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Patients who used Suboxone strips for at least six months between 2011 and January 2022 and subsequently required multiple tooth extractions may be eligible to join the growing litigation against the manufacturers. Check your eligibility now through our instant case evaluation tool.
What Is Suboxone and Why Is It Dangerous?
Suboxone is a prescription medication widely used throughout the United States to treat opioid use disorder. It combines buprenorphine, which helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, with naloxone, which prevents misuse of the medication. For many Americans struggling with opioid dependence, Suboxone has been an essential tool in their recovery process.
The medication is commonly prescribed as sublingual film strips that dissolve under the tongue, allowing the active ingredients to enter the bloodstream directly. While effective for treating addiction, these strips contain citric acid and other acidic compounds that create a dangerous environment for dental health. Each time a patient places a strip under their tongue, their teeth are exposed to acids that can erode enamel and promote decay.
The FDA issued a safety communication in January 2022 warning about the dental risks associated with buprenorphine-containing medications like Suboxone. According to the FDA’s analysis, these products can cause serious dental problems including tooth decay, cavities, oral infections, and tooth loss. The agency reviewed hundreds of cases where patients experienced severe dental damage despite maintaining good oral hygiene practices.
Medical research has substantiated these concerns. Studies published in respected medical journals have found that patients using sublingual buprenorphine products had significantly higher rates of dental caries and tooth loss compared to control groups. The research demonstrated that the acidic nature of the medication, combined with its prolonged contact with oral tissues, creates ideal conditions for accelerated tooth decay.
What makes this situation particularly troubling is that the manufacturers of Suboxone, including Indivior (formerly part of Reckitt Benckiser), allegedly knew about these dental risks for years but failed to properly investigate them or warn patients. The lawsuits claim that the company received adverse event reports detailing dental problems as early as 2013 but didn’t update their warning labels until forced to do so by the FDA in 2022.
The Serious Side Effects of Suboxone
Suboxone strips contain acids that directly attack tooth enamel with each dose. Many patients experience widespread cavities affecting multiple teeth, often requiring extensive dental work despite good oral hygiene.
The acid erosion from Suboxone strips can lead to irreversible tooth damage. Patients frequently report losing multiple teeth, with some requiring full extractions of severely damaged teeth.
As Suboxone damages tooth enamel, it creates opportunities for bacteria to enter teeth and gums. This often leads to painful abscesses and infections requiring antibiotics and emergency dental care.
Victims face costly dental procedures including root canals, crowns, bridges, implants, and even full dentures. Most insurance plans don’t fully cover these extensive reconstructive treatments.
The manufacturers allegedly knew about these dental risks for years but failed to warn patients until forced by the FDA in 2022. By then, thousands had already suffered permanent damage.
Legal Basis for Filing a Claim
Manufacturers have a legal duty to warn about known risks. Suboxone lawsuits allege the company knew of dental damage risks for years but failed to provide adequate warnings until 2022.
These cases argue Suboxone strips were defectively designed with unnecessarily high acidity. Alternative formulations could have reduced dental risks while maintaining the drug’s effectiveness.
Lawsuits claim manufacturers negligently ignored early warning signs from patient reports and failed to conduct proper testing on long-term dental effects despite evidence of problems.
Similar cases like Wyeth v. Levine established that FDA approval doesn’t shield companies from liability when they fail to warn about known risks of their medications.
Who Qualifies to File a Lawsuit?
If you have suffered dental injuries after using Suboxone sublingual strips, you may be eligible to seek compensation through a lawsuit. At William Mattar Law Offices, our Suboxone attorneys are reviewing cases that meet specific criteria to determine if you qualify for the ongoing litigation against the manufacturers.
Medication Requirements
To be eligible for a potential Suboxone lawsuit, you must:
- Have used Suboxone sublingual film strips specifically (not tablets or other forms)
- Have begun using the medication in 2011 or later
- Have used Suboxone strips continuously for at least six months
- Have stopped using the medication before January 2022 (when warnings were updated)
Dental Injury Requirements
You must also have experienced significant dental problems, including:
- Loss of at least three teeth that required extraction or fell out due to decay
- Documentation of tooth extractions (minimum of three teeth) related to decay or damage
- Dental records from before you started Suboxone treatment for comparison
Medical Documentation
Having proper documentation strengthens your case considerably. Our Suboxone lawyers will need:
- Records confirming your Suboxone prescription and duration of use
- Dental records from before and after Suboxone treatment
- Documentation of dental procedures performed to address damage
- Confirmation that you saw a dentist after discovering your dental injuries
Important Exclusions
You may not qualify if:
- You have a history of incarceration for drug-related issues
- Your dental problems existed before starting Suboxone
- You used only Suboxone tablets or other forms (not the sublingual strips)
- You cannot provide dental records from before using Suboxone
- You reside in certain excluded states (including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, or West Virginia)
For those who meet these criteria, our legal team can help you pursue compensation for:
- All dental treatment costs (past and future)
- Pain and suffering related to dental procedures
- Emotional distress and reduced quality of life
- Lost wages due to dental appointments
- Future dental care needs, including implants or dentures
Steps to Take if You've Been Harmed
If you’ve experienced dental problems while using Suboxone, seek professional dental care immediately. Proper documentation of your injuries is crucial for both your health and potential legal claims.
Collect all medical and dental records from before and after your Suboxone use. Include prescription history, dental treatment notes, and any communications with healthcare providers about your symptoms.
Keep detailed records of all costs related to your dental injuries, including treatment bills, medication costs, travel expenses for appointments, and any time missed from work.
Time limits apply to filing Suboxone claims. The sooner you determine your eligibility, the better protected your legal rights will be. Our instant evaluation can quickly assess your case.
Evaluate Your Case Now
Don’t wait to find out if you qualify for compensation. Dental injuries from Suboxone can lead to lifelong complications and expenses, but you may be entitled to significant financial recovery. Our instant case evaluation will quickly determine your eligibility for the Suboxone litigation. The time to file is limited, so taking action now is crucial to protecting your legal rights. Complete our short questionnaire today to see if you qualify to join the thousands of patients seeking justice for the dental damage caused by Suboxone.
