Across Louisiana, patients prescribed Suboxone sublingual strips for opioid addiction treatment are discovering a disturbing truth – this medication has caused severe, irreversible dental damage. While working toward recovery from addiction, these individuals now face widespread tooth decay, painful infections, and tooth loss requiring expensive reconstructive treatments.
At Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers, our Louisiana Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these unexpected dental injuries have taken. For years, the manufacturer of Suboxone strips failed to warn patients and healthcare providers about the serious dental risks associated with their product, putting profits ahead of patient safety.
The Hidden Dental Dangers of Suboxone Strips
Suboxone sublingual strips are a prescribed medication used to treat opioid dependency, combining buprenorphine (a partial opioid agonist) and naloxone (an opioid antagonist) in a thin film that dissolves under the tongue. This medication has helped many Louisiana patients manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings as part of addiction recovery programs.
However, medical research has revealed a serious problem with this delivery method. When Suboxone strips dissolve under the tongue, they create a highly acidic environment in the mouth. With regular use over months or years, this acidity gradually erodes tooth enamel and damages oral tissues, leading to severe dental complications that many patients were never warned about.
In January 2022, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication specifically warning about dental problems associated with medicines containing buprenorphine that dissolve in the mouth. According to the FDA’s adverse event reporting system, over 300 cases of dental problems were identified, including:
- Severe tooth decay affecting multiple teeth
- Tooth fractures and complete tooth loss
- Dental abscesses and infections
- Damage requiring root canals and extractions
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Dental Medicine found that patients using sublingual buprenorphine formulations had significantly higher rates of dental decay compared to control groups, with many requiring extensive reconstructive procedures. What’s particularly concerning is that many affected patients had no history of dental problems before starting Suboxone treatment and maintained good oral hygiene throughout their use.
Documents that have emerged through litigation suggest that Indivior, the manufacturer of Suboxone, may have received reports of dental problems years before the FDA warning but failed to update their product labeling or notify healthcare providers. This left countless Louisiana residents and patients nationwide vulnerable to serious, irreversible dental damage while simply following their prescribed treatment plan.
Your Legal Rights as a Suboxone Victim
Louisiana victims of Suboxone-related dental damage have strong legal grounds to seek compensation based on well-established principles of product liability law. Our Louisiana Suboxone dental injury attorneys are building cases based on several compelling legal theories:
The main claim against Indivior is that it failed to warn patients and doctors about serious dental risks tied to Suboxone. Evidence suggests the company knew—or should have known—about these risks long before the FDA required a warning in 2022 but didn’t update its labeling accordingly.
Lawsuits claim Suboxone strips have a dangerous design due to their acidic formula, which can harm teeth over time. Makers must ensure drugs are safe as directed, and safer alternatives may have existed.
By failing to adequately test Suboxone for long-term dental effects before bringing it to market and by ignoring early reports of dental problems, the manufacturer breached their duty of care to patients.
The legal landscape for Suboxone litigation continues to evolve, with several key cases establishing important precedents. In Brown v. Indivior Inc. (2023), a federal court denied the manufacturer’s motion to dismiss, finding that the plaintiffs had presented sufficient evidence that the company knew about dental risks but failed to warn patients. Similarly, in Richard v. Indivior (2022), the court allowed claims to proceed based on evidence that the company had received numerous adverse event reports regarding dental damage but took no action.
These lawsuits typically seek compensation for:
- Past and future dental treatment costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Do You Qualify for a Suboxone Dental Injury Lawsuit?
If you’ve suffered dental damage after using Suboxone sublingual strips, you may be eligible to join the growing number of Louisiana patients seeking justice through legal action. Our Suboxone dental injury attorneys evaluate each potential case based on specific criteria:
- You used Suboxone sublingual strips (film), not tablets or other forms
- You began using Suboxone after 2011
- Your last use was before January 2022
- You used the medication continuously for at least six months
- You have dental records from before you started Suboxone treatment
- You experienced significant dental problems after starting Suboxone
- You suffered the loss or extraction of at least three teeth
- You sought treatment from a dental professional for your injuries
- You have no history of incarceration for drug-related offenses
- Your dental problems weren’t pre-existing before Suboxone use
- You did not live in Louisiana, Kentucky, or Tennessee when prescribed Suboxone (these states have specific exclusions)
Each case is unique, and our experienced pharmaceutical injury attorneys will carefully evaluate your specific circumstances. Even if you’re unsure whether you meet all criteria, we encourage you to complete our instant case evaluation to determine if you qualify for potential compensation.
It’s important to act promptly, as Louisiana has strict time limits for filing pharmaceutical injury claims. Waiting too long could permanently forfeit your right to seek compensation for your Suboxone-related dental injuries.
Signs of Suboxone-Related Dental Injuries
Multiple cavities developing simultaneously across different teeth despite normal dental care.
Decay advancing unusually quickly, often reaching deep layers of teeth within months.
Teeth becoming brittle and prone to chipping, cracking, or breaking entirely during normal use.
Ongoing dental sensitivity or pain, often spreading to multiple areas of the mouth.
Gum tissue becoming inflamed, receding, or developing infections more frequently than normal.
These dental problems often develop despite good oral hygiene, confusing both patients and dentists until the connection to Suboxone is recognized. Our Louisiana Suboxone attorneys believe victims deserve compensation for these preventable injuries.
Protecting Your Rights After Suboxone Dental Damage
If you’ve suffered dental damage from Suboxone, taking a few proactive steps can help protect your legal rights and strengthen your claim:
- Document Your Dental Injuries – Ask your dentist to record all dental issues and note any possible links to your Suboxone use.
- Gather Treatment Records – Collect all documentation related to your Suboxone prescriptions and any dental treatments you’ve received.
- Track All Expenses – Keep detailed records of every cost—from current dental care to future treatment estimates.
- Get a Legal Review – Complete our instant case evaluation to have your claim reviewed by experienced Louisiana Suboxone attorneys.
Taking these steps early can make a big difference. We’re here to guide you through the process and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Check Your Eligibility Now
Don’t face dental suffering alone. Our Louisiana Suboxone lawsuit attorneys are ready to evaluate your case and fight for the justice you deserve. Complete our free case evaluation today.
