Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Lawyer

The use of Suboxone as an opioid addiction treatment has sparked significant legal debate as more patients come forward with unexpected health complications. Reports of severe dental damage have led to a surge in Suboxone tooth decay litigation, with lawsuits targeting the drug’s manufacturers for failing to warn users of potential risks.

Although Suboxone has played a crucial role in helping individuals break free from opioid dependence, concerns over its side effects, particularly its impact on oral health, have raised questions about patient safety and corporate accountability.

If you or a loved one has suffered tooth decay or other severe dental problems after taking Suboxone, you may have grounds for legal action. Our network of dedicated Suboxone lawyers at Lawsuits.com has handled many Suboxone tooth decay cases. We can connect you with an experienced attorney who can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights.

Don't let dental problems derail your recovery journey—reach out to a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit lawyer today to explore your options and take the first step toward justice and healing.

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What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a prescription medication manufactured by Indivior used to treat opioid addiction. It contains two active ingredients:

• Buprenorphine: A partial opioid agonist that helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid dependence.
• Naloxone: An opioid antagonist included to deter misuse of the medication.

Suboxone is typically prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and behavioral therapy.

It's available in two forms:

• Sublingual tablets: Placed under the tongue to dissolve
• Sublingual films: Thin strips placed under the tongue or inside the cheek

The medication works by binding to the same receptors in the brain that are affected by opioids, helping to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. This allows individuals to focus on recovery without the intense physical and psychological effects of opioid withdrawal.

While Suboxone sublingual film and tablets have been effective for many in overcoming opioid addiction, recent concerns have emerged regarding their potential link to dental health issues, leading to legal actions against its manufacturers.

Why Are People Filing Suboxone Lawsuits?

Individuals prescribed Suboxone have reported a range of severe dental health issues, leading to legal action against the drug's manufacturers. The most common dental problems associated with Suboxone use include:

Severe Tooth Decay

This is a primary concern, with many users experiencing multiple cavities and significant tooth damage. The emotional toll of this rapid dental deterioration has been substantial for many patients.

Tooth Erosion

Suboxone may contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel, increasing susceptibility to decay and sensitivity. This can lead to various dental issues, including:

• Cavities
  • Dental caries
  • Need for dental crowns or crown replacement
  • Tooth loss

Dry Mouth

Some Suboxone users report experiencing dry mouth, which reduces saliva production. Saliva plays a crucial role in protecting teeth from decay by neutralizing acids and washing away harmful bacteria. Reduced saliva can significantly increase the risk of dental problems.

Gum Issues

Suboxone use has been linked to gum problems, including inflammation and periodontal disease, which can have serious implications for overall dental health.

Tooth Fractures

There have been numerous reports of fractured or cracked teeth allegedly caused by Suboxone film strips.

Infections

The dental problems associated with Suboxone use can increase the risk of oral infections. These infections can be painful, costly to treat, and potentially dangerous, especially for immunocompromised or elderly individuals.

The financial burden of treating these dental issues, combined with the physical and emotional distress they cause, has led many affected individuals to seek legal recourse. They claim Indivior knew or should have known that Suboxone could cause tooth decay, but the company failed to adequately warn users.

If you've experienced dental problems while using Suboxone, consulting an experienced defective drug attorney can help you understand your legal options and potentially seek compensation for your injuries.

Do I Qualify for a Suboxone Lawsuit?

To determine if you might qualify for a Suboxone lawsuit, consider the following criteria:

• Prescribed Use: You must have been prescribed Suboxone sublingual strips and used them for at least six months. It's important that your use was under medical supervision and as directed.
• Dental Injuries: After starting Suboxone, you must have experienced significant dental health problems. These may include:
  • Advanced tooth decay
  • Tooth loss
  • Tooth fractures
  • Substantial cavities
  • Gum disease
  • Sum injuries
• Prior Dental Health: You should have a history of routine dental care before using Suboxone. This establishes a baseline for your dental health and helps demonstrate that your dental decay and other severe dental injuries developed after starting the medication.
• Timing: Your dental issues should have developed or significantly worsened after you began using Suboxone.
• Documentation: Medical and dental records documenting your Suboxone use and subsequent dental problems are crucial for supporting your case.

If you meet these criteria, you may participate in a Suboxone lawsuit. However, every case is unique, and a legal professional will need to evaluate the specific circumstances of your situation.

Remember, experiencing side effects doesn't automatically qualify you for a lawsuit. It's important to consult an experienced attorney who can assess your case, explain your rights, and help you understand the best course of action based on your individual circumstances.

Evidence Linking Suboxone to Tooth Damage

A growing body of scientific research and clinical observations supports the association between Suboxone use and dental problems.

While further studies are needed to fully establish causation, several key findings suggest a significant link:

• Increased Risk of Tooth Decay: A 2016 study revealed that individuals taking Suboxone were more susceptible to tooth decay compared to non-users. This finding raised initial concerns about the medication's potential impact on oral health.
• Higher Incidence of Cavities and Erosion: Another study found that Suboxone users exhibited a higher rate of cavities and tooth erosion than the general population. This suggests that the medication may contribute to accelerated dental deterioration.
• Elevated Risk of Dental Issues: A 2022 study compared Suboxone users to individuals taking other medications for opioid use disorder. The results showed that Suboxone users faced a higher risk of dental problems, particularly if they had pre-existing dental issues before starting the medication. The study noted a substantial increase in the likelihood of adverse dental outcomes among Suboxone users.

These studies collectively point to a potential correlation between Suboxone use and various dental health problems. However, while this evidence is compelling, the scientific community continues to investigate the exact mechanisms by which Suboxone might affect dental health.

FDA Raises Concerns About Suboxone

In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication about the potential dental risks associated with buprenorphine-containing medications, such as Suboxone.

The agency reported that some patients experienced significant oral health issues, including severe tooth decay, cavities, dental infections, and tooth loss. Notably, these problems occurred even in individuals with no prior history of dental issues and those who maintained good oral hygiene practices.

The FDA's warning was based on an increasing body of medical research and adverse event reports linking dissolvable sublingual films to dental problems. In response to these findings, the FDA required manufacturers to update their product labeling to include warnings about these dental risks in the prescribing information.

Plaintiffs filed the first Suboxone lawsuit in September 2023, a year after the FDA issued its safety communication, paving the way for dozens of others.

By January 2024, there were enough cases with similar claims against Indivior that the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated all federal Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits into a new Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). This Suboxone tooth decay MDL is proceeding under Judge J. Philip Calabrese in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in Cleveland.

As of August 1, 2024, there are 677 Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits pending in this MDL. Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals use Suboxone for opioid use disorder treatment and may be experiencing dental issues, this number is expected to increase significantly.

Current Status of Suboxone Lawsuits

May 1, 2025—Ongoing Discovery, Depositions, and Pregnancy Research

Counsel for the plaintiffs has indicated plans to proceed with corporate depositions under Rule 30(b)(6). These depositions are expected to examine Indivior’s handling of dental injury reports, the events leading to the FDA’s 2022 requirement to add dental warnings to Suboxone’s label, and the organizational structure behind the development and distribution of the drug.

The court is also taking steps to enforce discovery obligations. At the April hearing, the judge ordered a show-cause hearing for a pharmacy chain accused of failing to turn over prescription records—information that may be critical in evaluating patient exposure and injury trends.

Although no trial dates have been announced, the case is progressing. Discovery is underway, and preparations for selecting initial trial candidates later in 2025 are already in motion.

Discovery of Pregnancy and Neonatal Effects of Suboxone

Suboxone is one of the recommended treatments for pregnant women with opioid use disorder (along with methadone), as maintaining maternal treatment is safer for the fetus than withdrawal or continued illicit opioid use​.

However, because buprenorphine is an opioid, the newborn may experience neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) after birth, essentially opioid withdrawal symptoms in the infant​. NAS from buprenorphine tends to be milder than NAS from methadone, according to clinical studies, but it still occurs and requires monitoring and supportive care for the newborn.

Medical guidelines consider the benefits of Suboxone in pregnancy (preventing relapse and overdose in the mother) to outweigh the risk of NAS, and specialized protocols exist to manage NAS in infants​.

Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Update – March 2025

The Suboxone tooth decay MDL is moving forward in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio under Judge J. Philip Calabrese. Lawsuits continue to grow as more people come forward, claiming Suboxone caused severe dental problems like tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease.

Number of Cases in the Suboxone MDL

As of March 2025, there are 896 pending lawsuits in the Suboxone tooth decay MDL. Many legal experts believe this number will keep rising as more patients learn about the risks linked to Suboxone use. Aside from the MDL caseload, there have are some other important developments:

• Court Orders for Dental Records – On March 3, 2025, Judge Calabrese issued an order to speed up the process of obtaining dental records. This will help plaintiffs provide the necessary evidence for their claims. The potential deadline for many cases could explain the significant rise in the number of lawsuits filed in recent months. By February 1, 2025, the total number of cases stood at 754. As of March 5, 2025, the total number of pending cases stood at 896, with 142 new lawsuits filed in January 2025 alone.
• Potential Deadline Extensions – Lawyers are discussing a tolling agreement, which could extend the time people have to file lawsuits under their state's statute of limitations. This is important because several state deadlines to sue could expire in June 2025.
• Bellwether Trials Coming Soon – The court is preparing for bellwether trials, which are expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026. These trials will help determine how juries may respond to the claims and could lead to settlements.

The rise in these lawsuits can be attributed to several factors:

• Increased awareness of the potential link between Suboxone use and tooth decay
• Growing popularity of Suboxone as a treatment for opioid addiction
• Suboxone users discovering dental problems during routine check-ups
• The ongoing national opioid epidemic, now nearly a decade in progress

A key allegation in these lawsuits is that Indivior, the drug manufacturer, failed to adequately warn users about potential dental hygiene issues associated with Suboxone use. The company only added a warning label addressing these concerns in 2022, which plaintiffs argue came too late for many affected users.

As the litigation progresses, it will be crucial to monitor developments in the MDL and any potential settlements or verdicts. If you believe you may have a claim related to Suboxone use and dental problems, consult an experienced attorney to understand your legal options.

What Damages Are Available in a Suboxone Lawsuit?

If you've experienced dental problems related to Suboxone use, you may be eligible to seek compensation for various damages through a lawsuit. The potentially available damages include:

Medical Expenses

Compensation may cover the cost of dental treatments, such as fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, dentures, and other restorative procedures needed due to tooth decay related to Suboxone use.

Pain and Suffering

Many plaintiffs in Suboxone tooth decay cases report experiencing significant discomfort, infections, and difficulty eating due to their dental damage. Non-economic damages may be awarded for physical pain and emotional distress.

Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity

If severe dental issues have impacted your ability to work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income. In cases where long-term damage affects future earnings, additional damages may be awarded.

Punitive Damages

In some cases, courts may impose punitive damages if it is determined that the manufacturer acted negligently or failed to adequately warn users about the risks of tooth decay associated with Suboxone.

Other Out-of-Pocket Costs

This may include transportation to medical appointments, prescription costs, and any other expenses directly related to treating the dental damage caused by Suboxone.

As Suboxone Lawsuits and the MDL continue to develop, those affected still have the opportunity to seek justice. The specific damages and amounts vary based on individual circumstances, including the severity of dental issues, impact on daily life, and strength of evidence linking the problems to Suboxone use. 

If you or a loved one has suffered dental issues linked to Suboxone, consulting an experienced attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.

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Suboxone Lawsuit FAQs

Discuss Your Case With a Trusted Lawyer

As the Suboxone litigation continues to unfold, it's crucial for those affected by dental problems potentially linked to this medication to understand their rights and options. If you or a loved one has experienced severe tooth decay, loss, or other dental issues while using Suboxone, you don't have to face this challenge alone.

An experienced lawyer can help you by:

• Evaluating your case to determine if you qualify for a lawsuit
  • Gathering and organizing medical records and other evidence
  • Navigating the complex legal process of mass tort litigation
  • Negotiating with defendants on your behalf
  • Representing your interests in court if necessary

Don't let dental problems derail your recovery or compromise your quality of life. Contact a qualified Suboxone lawsuit attorney today at 888-984-6195 or through the online form to discuss your case and explore your legal options. Case consultations are free, and you don’t pay any attorney fees unless you recover compensation.