Suboxone has been a lifesaver to many people trying to ease the grip of an opioid addiction. But for countless users, that benefit has come with an unexpected price: severe and often irreversible tooth decay and gum disease.
Broken teeth, chronic pain, multiple cavities, and an avalanche of dental bills are some of the side effects that the drug’s manufacturer never gave patients a fair warning about.
If you’ve suffered dental injuries after using Suboxone, you’re probably wondering if you can file a suboxone lawsuit. Whether you’re eligible for compensation depends on a number of factors that we’ll explain in more detail here.
Table of contents
- What Is Suboxone and Why Is It Prescribed?
- The Basis of the Suboxone Lawsuits
- Dental Injuries Linked to Suboxone:
- What Qualifies You for a Suboxone Lawsuit?
- What If I’m Not Sure My Injuries Qualify?
- Conditions That Strengthen Your Case
- Can Anything Disqualify Me from Filing?
- Is There a Deadline for a Suboxone Lawsuit?
- What If You Have Pre-Existing Dental Problems?
- How Evidence Impacts Eligibility
- Multidistrict Litigation and Your Case
- What to Do If You Think You Qualify
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How Can I File a Suboxone Lawsuit?
What Is Suboxone and Why Is It Prescribed?
Suboxone is a prescription medication used to treat opioid dependence and withdrawal symptoms. It’s widely used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs and contains two active ingredients:
- Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Naloxone, an opioid antagonist that blocks the euphoric effects of opioids and discourages misuse
The manufacturer, Indivior, initially released Suboxone in tablet form but later reformulated the drug as a strip (sublingual film) that the user places under the tongue to dissolve. The problem with the sublingual film is that it made more contact with the teeth than the tablet form of the drug.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002, Suboxone became a go-to treatment for people recovering from opioid addiction. However, the manufacturer did not warn patients about the drug’s adverse effects on oral health until it was too late for many. Thousands of people used Suboxone for months or years before learning of its risks.
The Basis of the Suboxone Lawsuits
Indivior marketed Suboxone as a safe and effective way to manage opioid dependence, but for thousands of users, it also led to unexpected dental complications.
The lawsuits lodged against Indivior argue that the company failed to adequately warn patients and providers of the oral health risks associated with its sublingual film.
In January 2022, the FDA issued a public safety warning regarding dental damage linked to buprenorphine medications dissolved in the mouth. In June 2022, Indivior updated the Suboxone label to reflect these risks. By then, thousands of Suboxone patients were already grappling with severe tooth decay.
Patients who used the medication before those updates—and who developed serious dental issues—are eligible to file claims for compensation.
Dental Injuries Linked to Suboxone:
Suboxone’s sublingual film is highly acidic, with about the same acidity levels as a lemon or a soft drink. Because it sits in the mouth for prolonged periods, sometimes multiple times a day, it can create an environment that severely damages oral tissues and teeth.
Over weeks, months, or years, your teeth’s exposure to the acidic drug can wear down tooth enamel, disrupt oral pH, and lead to widespread decay. Some patients have had to undergo full-mouth restorations after Suboxone use.
The dental injuries that Suboxone users suffer from are varied. They include:
Tooth-related problems
- Tooth decay (rampant caries)
- Enamel erosion
- Tooth sensitivity
- Fractures and chips
- Tooth loss or required extractions
Gum and soft tissue issues
- Gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis)
- Oral infections, such as thrush
- Mouth sores or ulcers under the tongue
Other oral complications
- Chronic dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Highly acidic oral environment
- Dental abscesses
Long-term consequences
- Need for fillings, crowns, implants, or dentures
- Irreversible enamel loss and lifelong dental damage
The connection between these symptoms and long-term Suboxone film use is the foundation of the current litigation.
Related article: Side Effects of Suboxone
What Qualifies You for a Suboxone Lawsuit?
To file a Suboxone lawsuit, you need to meet certain conditions. These are based on when you took the drug, what form you used, and the nature of your injuries.
You may be eligible for damages if you meet some of the following criteria:
- Your doctor prescribed Suboxone sublingual film, not exclusively tablets.
- You started using the medication before January 2022, when the FDA issued its dental warning.
- You received your prescription before June 2022, when Indivior added a warning to the drug’s labeling.
- You’ve experienced significant dental problems, including decay, erosion, extractions, infections, or gum disease.
- Your dental injuries began during or after Suboxone use, not before
- Your healthcare providers did not warn you of any dental risks associated with the drug
Each of these factors plays a role in building a case. If you check most of these boxes, it’s time to talk to a Suboxone lawyer.
What If I’m Not Sure My Injuries Qualify?
You don’t need to have all the answers right now. Many people considering a Suboxone lawsuit feel uncertain. Maybe your dental problems weren’t diagnosed until recently. Maybe you’re missing some records. That doesn’t automatically disqualify you.
A qualified Suboxone attorney can review your medical history, dental records, and prescription timeline to see if there’s a link—and whether your case meets the current standards for Suboxone litigation.
You don’t have to know everything. You just have to start the conversation.
Conditions That Strengthen Your Case
Even if you meet the basic eligibility requirements, certain factors can make your case stronger—and potentially increase the compensation you could receive. These details can help your attorney build a more persuasive claim and demonstrate clear, lasting harm caused by Suboxone.
For example, if you followed the medication instructions carefully and still experienced serious dental injuries, that supports the argument that the drug itself—not user error—caused the damage. A lack of prior dental problems can also help show that your condition was not pre-existing and only began after using Suboxone.
Other strong indicators include:
- A documented timeline showing the onset of symptoms during Suboxone use
- Multiple or costly dental procedures, such as crowns, implants, root canals, or full-mouth extractions
- Consistent dental visits and treatment records that show a clear progression of damage
While these factors are not required, they add credibility to your case and give your legal team more leverage during settlement negotiations or trial. The stronger your documentation and the clearer the connection between Suboxone and your injuries, the more compelling your claim will be.
Can Anything Disqualify Me from Filing?
While many people may be eligible to file, certain factors could make a case more difficult to pursue. These don’t automatically disqualify you, but they may require a closer look by a lawyer to understand the full picture.
Some potential barriers include:
- Starting Suboxone after the June 2022 label update, when dental risks were disclosed
- Having already filed and settled a previous Suboxone-related claim
- Experiencing dental issues that clearly pre-date your Suboxone use
- Using the medication in a way that was inconsistent with the prescription
- Missing the legal filing deadline (statute of limitations) in your state
Even if one or more of these factors applies to you, you should still speak with a lawyer. An experienced legal team can help assess whether your circumstances allow for an exception or whether new information could support your eligibility. The bottom line: Don’t disqualify yourself. Allow an experienced personal injury lawyer to evaluate your case.
Is There a Deadline for a Suboxone Lawsuit?
Each state has its own personal injury statute of limitations, which is the legal deadline for filing a claim. Your time limit is set by the state where you reside. In Suboxone cases, this usually starts from the time you first noticed your dental injuries or learned they could be related to the drug.
For some states, that deadline is just one or two years. If you miss it, your case may be barred, even if it’s strong in every other way. If you suspect Suboxone played a role in your dental problems, don’t wait. Deadlines don’t pause for uncertainty.
What If You Have Pre-Existing Dental Problems?
Having pre-existing dental issues doesn’t automatically prevent you from filing a Suboxone lawsuit. What matters most is whether your condition significantly worsened after you began using Suboxone sublingual film.
Many plaintiffs have had some level of dental health concerns before but saw a dramatic escalation in problems, such as needing extractions, root canals, or full dentures, only after using the medication.
The goal is to show a clear timeline and connection. If you went from mild sensitivity or routine dental care to severe decay and irreversible damage, that change could be directly tied to the prolonged use of Suboxone film. These worsening conditions are exactly what the lawsuits aim to address.
An experienced attorney can help review your dental history and determine whether Suboxone contributed to the severity of your injuries. You don’t need perfect teeth to qualify—just a story that shows how things changed and the evidence to back it up.
How Evidence Impacts Eligibility
Evidence doesn’t just support your case—it helps determine whether you even have one. That’s why collecting as much as you can is important.
Useful evidence includes:
- Dental and medical records
- Photos of your injuries
- Suboxone prescription history
- Emails or messages with healthcare providers
- Bills for procedures like root canals or implants
The more documentation you have, the easier it is for a lawyer to assess your eligibility and move your case forward.
Multidistrict Litigation and Your Case
Anyone who filed a Suboxone lawsuit in the U.S. has had their case consolidated into a Multidistrict Litigation, or MDL for short. MDLs are a special legal process that groups similar lawsuits from across the country.
In this case, MDL No. 3092, created in February 2024, brings together several hundred Suboxone lawsuits in the Northern District of Ohio, overseen by Judge Philip Calabrese.
MDLs are not class actions. In a class action, one decision applies to everyone, and every class member shares the recovery. In an MDL, each case remains individual, meaning your experience, your dental injuries, and your potential compensation are still judged on their own. The benefit of an MDL is that all cases go through discovery and pretrial processes more efficiently by sharing evidence and resources.
If you qualify to file a Suboxone lawsuit, your case would likely be filed into the MDL, but your lawyer will still represent you individually.
In some situations, attorneys may pursue claims in state courts outside the MDL if they believe it's a better fit for your circumstances.
Either way, MDL participation doesn't limit your rights. It’s simply a more efficient way to handle a large number of similar claims and secure the compensation you need faster.
Your attorney will determine the best way to file for your particular case based on strategy, deadlines, and where you live. The important thing is that you don’t need to navigate this alone.
What to Do If You Think You Qualify
If you meet the general criteria—or even if you’re just not sure—it’s worth speaking with a lawyer who handles Suboxone litigation. They can review your case, help gather records, and give you honest guidance about your options.
You’ve already been through enough. This part doesn’t have to be hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average payout for the Suboxone lawsuit?
Estimates suggest Suboxone settlements could range from $50,000 to $175,000 per person, depending on the severity of injuries and strength of the evidence. These are projections only. Actual payouts will vary.
Has anyone received a settlement from Suboxone?
As of early 2025, Suboxone cases are still in the early stages of litigation within MDL 3092. No global settlement has been announced yet, but the volume of filings continues to grow.
What do I need to qualify for a Suboxone lawsuit?
Most individuals must be able to show that they used Suboxone sublingual film before the 2022 warnings and suffered dental injuries linked to that use. Supporting evidence like prescriptions and dental records will help confirm your eligibility.
How much does a lawyer cost?
Hiring a lawyer for a Suboxone lawsuit won’t cost you anything upfront. Personal injury attorneys handle Suboxone claims on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay for their services as a percentage of your final recovery. No win = no fee. You will discuss this payment arrangement in your initial consultation.
How Can I File a Suboxone Lawsuit?
Lawsuits.com maintains a national network of experienced personal injury lawyers. When you contact us, we will evaluate your case and connect you to a results-driven attorney in your area.
Our team works with individuals just like you every day—people who trusted a medication and ended up dealing with long-term harm they never saw coming. Our national network of proven lawyers knows how to harness the power of the civil justice system to secure the highest possible compensation for your injuries and losses.
Don’t wait. If you’ve suffered dental injuries and believe Suboxone played a role, contact Lawsuits.com today by calling (888) 984-6195. You can also use our online contact form to connect with a Suboxone lawsuit lawyer in your area.