Suboxone Dental Decay Lawsuits Outline How Drug Causes Long-Term Damage to Teeth

Over the last few months of 2023, there have been a number of examples of Suboxone dental decay lawsuits filed by former users of the opioid addiction drug, each indicating that they were left with long-term dental damage and tooth loss caused by Suboxone Film, resulting in the need for costly treatments and diminished quality of life.

Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the early 2000s, as a breakthrough treatment for individuals suffering with withdrawal symptoms from an opioid dependency. However, in 2010, a controversial change was made to Suboxone’s delivery method, when the manufacturer transitioned the drug from a tablet form to a sublingual buprenorphine film, which dissolves under the user’s tongue.

It now appears that this change resulted in a spike in users experiencing Suboxone dental side effects after repeated exposure to the highly acidic drug, including reports of:

• Severe dental decay
• Tooth loss
• Tooth extractions
• Cracked/Chipped teeth
• Other serious tooth problems

Former users are now pursuing financial compensation through Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits, claiming that they could have avoided long-term problems with their teeth and the need for extensive dental work if the drug maker had adequately researched the sublingual film and disclosed risks associated with use of the medication.

Lawsuits point to a long history of adverse events reported to the manufacturer, as well as published case reports and studies, which suggest that Indivior knew about the risk that reformulated Suboxone strips may cause dental decay. However, the first Suboxone dental warnings were not issued for users and the medical community until 2022.

In this featured post, AboutLawsuits.com will delve deeper into the dental side effects of Suboxone, and the allegations raised in dental decay lawsuits now being pursued to recover damages for the painful procedures, disfigurement, embarrassment and other injuries caused by Suboxone.

The Acidity of Suboxone and its Impact on Dental Health

Suboxone’s two main ingredients are buprenorphine and naloxone, which require an acidic environment to ensure they remain stable and effective while being absorbed into the bloodstream.

To achieve these acidic conditions, Suboxone contains several inactive ingredients or additives that enhance the drug’s acidity. According to the Suboxone Sublingual Film Prescribing Information, Suboxone also contains the following acidic inactive ingredients that can contribute to tooth decay;

• Citric Acid: This is distinctly acidic, and is often used in foods and pharmaceuticals as an acidifying agent, as well as for its tangy flavor.
• Sodium Citrate Dihydrate: This is the sodium salt of citric acid and acts as a buffer. While citric acid is acidic, sodium citrate is more alkaline. When both are present in a formula, they can help control and stabilize the pH, potentially creating a buffer system.
• Acesulfame Potassium: This is an artificial sweetener and isn’t primarily acidic. However, it can have an effect on mouth pH indirectly due to its interactions with oral bacteria.
• Lime Flavour: Natural limes are acidic, primarily because of their citric acid content. Depending on the nature and composition of the flavoring agent, it might contribute some acidity, especially if it contains components derived from the actual fruits.

This is why a user who places a Suboxone sublingual film beneath their tongue might recognize a slightly sour or tangy taste. This taste is a direct indicator of the film’s acidic ingredients to increase the pH levels in the drug’s surroundings. However, lawsuits indicate that users were never informed that repeated exposure to the acidity of Suboxone could impact their dental health.

Suboxone Dry Mouth Side Effects on Teeth

Suboxone has been linked to a condition known as Xerostomia, or dry mouth. The primary cause of dry mouth in relation to Suboxone use is the ingredient buprenorphine, which is known to impact the central nervous system, and among its many effects, reduce the function of the salivary glands.

In a study featured in The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders in October 2013, researchers examined a specific population that showed dental health decline following the use of buprenorphine medications. The findings indicated that an astonishing 90% of these buprenorphine users had saliva levels considerably lower than the average, experiencing a drop of roughly 50% compared to the national standard.

Lawsuits allege that the drug makers knew or should have known that this side effect may contribute to the detrimental impact on an individuals dental health from Suboxone, since saliva not only aids in digestion but also helps in neutralizing acids and cleaning the mouth.

A lack of adequate saliva, compounded with the highly acidic ingredients added to Suboxone, can increase the risk of tooth decay, according to lawsuits. As the mouth loses its natural cleaning mechanism and pH balancing capability, plaintiffs indicate this leads to cavities, gum disease, and eventually lost teeth.

Dental Injuries Caused By Suboxone

In several Suboxone dental side effects lawsuits filed to date, individuals claim this very acidity used for Suboxone’s function, creates a highly acidic environment in the mouth that can erode tooth enamel, the protective outer layer of our teeth.

When enamel wears down, teeth become more susceptible to decay, leading to cavities and other dental issues. Additionally, a prolonged exposure to acidic substances in the mouth, like when a Suboxone film dissolves sublingually, can exacerbate this effect.

Lawsuits claim that the acidic nature of Suboxone, combined with the active ingredient Buprenorphine’s known ability to reduce protective saliva in the mouth creates promotes permanent tooth decay that can lead to;

• Cavities
• Enamel Erosion
• Dentin Exposure
• Dental Caries
• Gum Disease (Periodontitis)
• Root Decay
• Gum Recession
• Tooth Sensitivity and Pain
• Tooth Abscess
• Tooth Loss
• Bone Loss in the Jaw
• Cracked teeth
• Oral Infections

However, despite the manufacturers intentional design to make these oral Suboxone films highly acidic, and the well established risks of tooth decay from acidic exposure, lawsuits point out that no dental decay warning for the drug was added to Suboxone for decades. Former users indicate this provides evidence that the manufacturers were more interested in profits than patient safety, causing users to bear the costs of dental treatments after Suboxone use that could have been avoided.

Dental Procedures to Fix Suboxone Tooth Decay

Lawsuits claim that many Suboxone users who have suffered tooth decay have been forced to undergo painful and expensive dental procedures to relieve pain and to prevent their oral health from deteriorating further.

Plaintiffs point out that these corrective dental procedures are not just a one-time fix, but that former users will have to live the rest of their lives worrying about the decayed state of their oral health, while also footing the bill for corrective procedures, which can include;

Find Out If You Qualify For a Suboxone Dental Decay Lawsuit

Drug manufacturers have a responsibility to adequately research and test drugs to ensure they are safe and free of defective designs, and to warn the public about the potential side effects.

While litigation remains in the early stages, Suboxone lawyers provide free consultations and claim evaluations to help individuals determine if they may be eligible for financial compensation through a Suboxone dental decay lawsuit.

AboutLawsuits.com has partnered with law firms to provide free claim evaluations, by completing a short on-line questionnaire that will be reviewed by a lawyer to determine if a settlement or lawsuit payout may be available. Claim evaluations are free and all cases are handled by lawyers on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.