At Rueb Stoller Daniel, we are dedicated to representing individuals harmed by defective drugs and medical devices. With over fifty years of combined experience, our team has successfully advocated for tens of thousands of clients nationwide in complex multi-district mass tort litigation. Our firm has achieved significant results, including a $225 million mass tort settlement and a $510 million settled case. We believe that justice belongs to everyone and are committed to fighting for your rights.
If you used Suboxone and later developed serious dental problems, you are not alone. Thousands of people across the U.S. have reported suboxone-related tooth decay, tooth enamel erosion, tooth loss, and other severe dental injuries after taking the medication as prescribed. These injuries have led to a wave of lawsuits claiming that drug manufacturers failed to warn patients and doctors about the risks.
Filing a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit can help you recover the cost of dental treatments and hold manufacturers accountable. Working with an experienced mass tort attorney at Rueb Stoller Daniel ensures your case is evaluated properly, filed on time, and handled with the focus it deserves. Their team represents individuals in nationwide Suboxone litigation, helping victims seek compensation for the damage they’ve suffered.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a prescription medication commonly used to treat opioid use disorder. It is associated with reports of suboxone-related tooth decay, especially after prolonged exposure.
Suboxone Composition and Form
Suboxone combines two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Naloxone is added to prevent misuse. The medication is available as Suboxone sublingual films and Suboxone tablets. Both forms are designed to dissolve under the tongue or inside the cheek.
FDA Approval and Medical Use
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Suboxone for use in opioid addiction treatment. It is often prescribed as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Suboxone is used to manage opioid dependency and reduce relapse risks. It has become a standard treatment for people with opioid use disorder in both clinical and outpatient settings.
Method of Administration
Suboxone is administered sublingually, meaning it is placed under the tongue, or buccally, inside the cheek. This allows the medication to absorb directly into the bloodstream. The method of administration plays a key role in the dental risks reported by users. Prolonged sublingual use may cause severe dental problems, including tooth decay, tooth enamel erosion, and oral infections.
Warnings and Known Risks
In 2022, the FDA issued a safety warning about dental injuries linked to Suboxone. Patients using buprenorphine medicines dissolved in the mouth were found to suffer serious dental issues, such as tooth loss, tooth extractions, and severe dental decay. The FDA now requires that prescribers inform patients about these risks and recommend regular oral health checkups.
Link Between Suboxone and Dental Damage
Suboxone use has been linked to a growing number of reports involving dental damage, including severe tooth decay, tooth loss, and other serious oral health issues.
FDA Safety Communication
In January 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a public safety alert regarding dental injuries linked to sublingual buprenorphine medications. The warning applies to both Suboxone sublingual films and Suboxone tablets. The FDA stated that users of these medications have reported severe tooth decay, tooth enamel erosion, oral infections, and tooth extractions, even in individuals with no history of dental problems.
How Suboxone Affects Oral Health
Suboxone film and tablet forms dissolve in the mouth and are taken daily, sometimes for years. This prolonged exposure to buprenorphine under the tongue or in the cheek can create an acidic environment that damages teeth. The medication can dry out the mouth, reduce saliva production, and weaken tooth enamel over time. This increases the risk of tooth erosion, dental decay, and oral infections. Many users have suffered severe dental injuries requiring long-term treatment.
Patient and Provider Warnings
The FDA now requires healthcare providers to inform patients about the dental risks associated with sublingual buprenorphine naloxone exposure. Patients are advised to practice strict oral hygiene, schedule regular dental visits, and rinse their mouth after each dose. However, many users say they were not properly warned, leading to suboxone tooth decay claims and product liability lawsuits.
Litigation Triggered by Dental Damage
The connection between Suboxone use and serious dental issues has resulted in a wave of suboxone tooth decay lawsuits. These claims often cite failure to warn, inadequate labeling, and severe dental problems caused by the medication. Ongoing suboxone litigation, including cases in multidistrict litigation (MDL), aims to hold drug manufacturers accountable for the damage suffered by Suboxone users.
Legal Grounds for Filing a Suboxone Dental Lawsuit
Many individuals who have suffered severe dental problems after using Suboxone are now pursuing legal action against the drug’s manufacturers.
Failure to Warn
A central claim in Suboxone product liability lawsuits is failure to warn. Plaintiffs allege that drug manufacturers did not provide adequate warnings about the risk of suboxone-related tooth decay. Labels and prescribing information did not clearly explain the possibility of severe dental injuries, including tooth decay, tooth loss, and oral infections.
Product Liability
Suboxone lawsuits fall under product liability law, which holds manufacturers accountable for distributing dangerous or defective products. In these cases, plaintiffs claim that Suboxone sublingual films and tablets were defective due to their design, the lack of sufficient dental warnings, or both. These lawsuits target major drug manufacturers responsible for the distribution and marketing of the prescription medication.
Inadequate Labeling and Instructions
Another key issue in Suboxone tooth decay litigation is the alleged failure to update warning labels in a timely manner. Many Suboxone users claim they were prescribed the drug for opioid addiction treatment without being told about possible dental damage. Healthcare providers often did not instruct patients to rinse their mouths, monitor oral health, or take preventive dental steps, increasing the risk of severe dental decay.
Eligibility to File a Suboxone Lawsuit
To file a Suboxone lawsuit, individuals must show that they were prescribed Suboxone film or tablet, used it as directed, and later suffered tooth decay or other dental injuries. They must also prove that they were not warned of the risks. Many plaintiffs claim they needed tooth extractions, crowns, or long-term dental care due to damage caused by sublingual buprenorphine naloxone exposure.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is a strict legal deadline for filing a claim. The time limit varies by state, but it often ranges from one to four years from the date of discovering the injury. Missing this deadline can bar a claimant from pursuing compensation. Anyone who has suffered severe dental problems from prescribed Suboxone should act quickly to protect their legal rights.
Who Can File a Suboxone Lawsuit?
Individuals who experienced dental damage after using Suboxone may be eligible to file a lawsuit and seek compensation.
Suboxone Use and Dental Injury
To qualify for a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit, the individual must have used Suboxone film or tablets as prescribed for opioid addiction treatment. The person must also show that they developed severe dental injuries, such as tooth decay, tooth enamel erosion, tooth extractions, or oral infections, after using the medication.
Proof of Prescription and Damages
Claimants need medical records confirming that a physician prescribed Suboxone film or tablets. Dental records must show that they suffered severe tooth decay or other dental injuries after starting treatment. A clear timeline linking Suboxone use to the onset of dental issues is critical for building a strong case.
Lack of Warning
Many eligible plaintiffs say they were never warned about the risk of dental problems. They claim drug manufacturers failed to inform patients and healthcare providers about the need for dental monitoring, proper oral hygiene, or the possibility of tooth erosion caused by prolonged sublingual exposure. This alleged failure to warn is a key argument in suboxone product liability lawsuits.
Types of Claimants
Both current and former Suboxone users may qualify to file a Suboxone lawsuit. Those who took prescribed Suboxone and later developed serious dental issues, including tooth loss and severe dental decay, can pursue claims. This includes individuals involved in the growing number of suboxone lawsuits filed in multidistrict litigation (MDL).
Time Limits to File
Each state has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. This period typically ranges from one to four years from the date the dental injury was discovered. Anyone who believes they have a claim should consult a mass tort lawyer promptly to avoid missing the filing window.
Role of a Mass Tort Lawyer in Suboxone Tooth Decay Cases
Individuals who have suffered dental injuries from Suboxone may benefit from the expertise of a mass tort lawyer to navigate the complexities of their claims.
Understanding Mass Tort Litigation
Mass tort litigation involves multiple plaintiffs filing individual lawsuits against one or a few defendants for harm caused by the same product or action. Unlike class actions, each plaintiff in a mass tort retains a separate claim, allowing for individualized consideration of damages. This approach is particularly relevant in cases where Suboxone users have experienced varying degrees of dental damage.
Legal Knowledge in Suboxone Cases
A mass tort lawyer specializing in Suboxone-related dental injuries provides essential services, including:
- Case Evaluation: Assessing the link between Suboxone use and dental issues to determine the viability of a claim.
- Evidence Collection: Gathering medical records, dental histories, and expert testimonies to substantiate the case.
- Litigation Strategy: Developing a tailored approach that addresses the specifics of the plaintiff’s injuries and circumstances.
These professionals navigate the legal system to advocate for fair compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
Rueb Stoller Daniel’s Commitment
Rueb Stoller Daniel is a national law firm dedicated to representing clients in mass tort cases, including those involving Suboxone-related dental injuries. The firm offers:
- Free Case Evaluations: Providing risk-free assessments to determine the potential for legal action.
- Contingency-Based Representation: Clients pay no fees unless compensation is secured.
- 24/7 Availability: Ensuring clients have access to legal support whenever needed.
By focusing on individualized claims within mass tort litigation, Rueb Stoller Daniel strives to achieve outcomes that reflect the unique damages suffered by each client.
Initiating Legal Action
Individuals affected by Suboxone-related dental damage should consult with a mass tort lawyer promptly due to varying statutes of limitations. Engaging legal counsel early ensures that claims are filed within required timeframes and that evidence is preserved effectively.
Take Action If You’ve Suffered Suboxone-Related Tooth Decay
If you or someone you care about has experienced severe dental problems after using Suboxone, you may be eligible to file a claim. The manufacturers may be held responsible for failing to warn patients about the risks of suboxone-related tooth decay and other serious dental injuries. Our team at Rueb Stoller Daniel is here to help. We represent clients in Suboxone product liability lawsuits nationwide. You don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact us at 1-866-CALL-RSD for a free case consultation today!
