Across California, patients prescribed Suboxone sublingual strips for opioid addiction treatment are facing the unexpected and painful consequence of severe dental damage that was never properly disclosed by the manufacturer. These thin film strips, containing highly acidic compounds, have caused widespread tooth decay, dental infections, and even complete tooth loss in many individuals who were simply following their doctor’s orders.
While working toward recovery from addiction, these Californians now face painful dental procedures, disfigurement, and extensive costs rarely covered by insurance. The manufacturers of Suboxone failed to adequately warn patients about these serious dental risks until January 2022, long after many had already suffered irreversible damage.
The Coachella Valley Suboxone tooth decay attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group understand the devastating impact these dental injuries have on your physical health, emotional wellbeing, and financial security. Our experienced legal team is committed to holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their failure to warn about these serious side effects.
Understanding the Hidden Dental Risks of Suboxone Treatment
Suboxone is a medication widely prescribed throughout California 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 Californians struggling with opioid dependence, Suboxone has been an essential tool in their recovery journey.
The medication is most commonly dispensed 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 gradually erode enamel and promote decay.
In January 2022, the FDA issued a safety communication 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. A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association 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 Indivior, the manufacturer of Suboxone, allegedly knew about these dental risks for years but failed to properly investigate them or to warn patients. Documents uncovered during litigation suggest 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.
For California patients who have suffered dental damage, the consequences have been profound. Many have required multiple tooth extractions, root canals, crowns, and even full dentures or implants, which are expensive procedures often not fully covered by insurance. Some patients report spending tens of thousands of dollars on dental reconstruction after Suboxone destroyed their teeth.
The Legal Grounds for California Suboxone Lawsuits
California victims of Suboxone-related dental damage have strong legal grounds to seek compensation based on well-established principles of product liability law. Our California Suboxone lawsuit attorneys are building cases based on several compelling legal theories:
The primary claim against Indivior centers on their failure to provide adequate warnings about serious dental risks. Evidence suggests they knew about these problems years before the FDA-mandated warning in 2022.
Suboxone strips contain unnecessarily high acid levels that cause dental damage with normal use. Alternative formulations could have reduced these risks while maintaining effectiveness
The manufacturer failed to adequately test the long-term dental effects of their product before marketing it for extended use in addiction treatment.
Litigation documents suggest Indivior actively concealed emerging evidence of dental risks to protect their market position and profits.
The legal landscape for Suboxone litigation continues to evolve, with several key cases establishing important precedents. In Davis v. Indivior (2023), a federal court denied the manufacturer’s motion to dismiss, finding that plaintiffs had presented sufficient evidence that the company knew about dental risks but failed to warn patients. Similarly, in Ramirez 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 seek compensation for past and future dental treatment costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, and diminished quality of life. For California residents, the statute of limitations provides a limited window to file claims, making prompt evaluation of potential cases essential.
Do You Qualify for a California Suboxone Lawsuit?
If you’ve suffered dental damage after using Suboxone sublingual strips, you may qualify to join the growing number of California patients seeking justice. Our Walter Clark Legal Group Suboxone attorneys evaluate each potential case based on specific criteria:
You used Suboxone sublingual films (not tablets) between 2011-2022 for at least six consecutive months.
You have dental records from before Suboxone use and documentation of subsequent dental damage.
You’ve experienced loss or extraction of at least three teeth related to your Suboxone use.
You sought professional dental care after discovering these injuries.
Additional Qualifying Factors:
- You have no history of incarceration for drug-related offenses
- You weren’t residing in an excluded state when prescribed Suboxone (California residents qualify)
- Your dental problems weren’t pre-existing before Suboxone use
Each case is unique, and our experienced California 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.
It’s important to act promptly, as California 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.
How Suboxone Affects Dental Health
Suboxone’s high acidity dissolves tooth enamel with each dose, weakening tooth structure.
Damaged enamel creates perfect conditions for rapid cavity development across multiple teeth.
Weakened teeth often crack or break completely, requiring extraction.
Many patients experience painful gum problems alongside tooth damage.
Even after stopping Suboxone, dental deterioration often continues without intervention
These serious dental complications have dramatically altered the lives of many California residents who were simply following their prescribed treatment plan. Our Suboxone dental injury attorneys believe these victims deserve full compensation for their suffering.
Taking Action After Suboxone Dental Damage
If Suboxone has caused damage to your teeth, it’s important to take a few simple steps:
Get a Dental Evaluation
See a dentist to document your dental problems and link them to Suboxone use.
Collect Your Records
Gather your Suboxone prescription history and all dental treatment documents.
Track Your Expenses
Keep a list of what you’ve spent on dental care, including expected future costs.
Talk to a Lawyer
Fill out our quick case evaluation form to see if you qualify for compensation.
Taking these steps can help our California Suboxone attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group build the strongest case for you. We’re here to help you through this and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Check Your Eligibility Now
Don’t wait to learn if you qualify for compensation. Dental injuries from Suboxone can create lifelong health issues and expenses. Our instant case evaluation will quickly determine your eligibility to join the Suboxone litigation and pursue the justice you deserve.