Helping South Carolina Victims of Suboxone Dental Damage

Across South Carolina, patients prescribed Suboxone sublingual strips for opioid addiction treatment are making a painful discovery – 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 Joye Law Firm, our South Carolina Suboxone 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.

What Is Suboxone and Why Is It Dangerous?

Suboxone sublingual strips are a medication prescribed 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 South Carolina 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 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 extensive reconstructive procedures

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Dental Sciences found that patients using sublingual buprenorphine formulations were approximately three times more likely to experience severe dental decay compared to control groups. 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.

Medical experts have explained that the acidity of Suboxone strips can reduce the mouth’s natural pH balance for extended periods. This acidic environment not only directly damages tooth enamel but can also alter the oral microbiome, allowing harmful bacteria to flourish and accelerate decay. The damage often extends beyond the teeth to include gum recession, oral ulcers, and inflammation of soft tissues.

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 South Carolina residents vulnerable to serious, irreversible dental damage while simply following their prescribed treatment plan.

The Legal Grounds for Suboxone Dental Injury Claims

South Carolina victims of Suboxone-related dental damage have strong legal grounds to seek compensation based on well-established principles of product liability law. Our South Carolina Suboxone lawsuit attorneys are building cases based on several compelling legal theories:

Failure to Warn: The primary claim against Indivior, the manufacturer of Suboxone, is that they failed to provide adequate warnings about the serious dental risks associated with their product. Under product liability law, pharmaceutical companies have a duty to warn patients and healthcare providers about all known significant risks. Evidence suggests that Indivior knew or should have known about the dental risks associated with their product long before the FDA required a warning in 2022, yet they failed to include this critical information on their product labeling.

Defective Product Design: These lawsuits also allege that Suboxone sublingual strips have an inherently dangerous design flaw – specifically, the highly acidic formulation that causes dental damage with prolonged use. Manufacturers have a legal duty to design medications that are reasonably safe when used as directed, and alternative, less harmful formulations may have been possible.

Negligent Testing and Monitoring: 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 Davis 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 Miller 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 qualify to join the growing number of South Carolina patients seeking justice through legal action. Our Suboxone dental injury attorneys evaluate each potential case based on specific criteria:
Medication Requirements:
  • 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
Dental Injury Requirements:
  • 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
Additional Qualifying Factors:
  • 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 an excluded state when prescribed Suboxone (South Carolina is eligible)

Each case is unique, and our experienced South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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

Enamel Erosion

Suboxone’s acidity gradually dissolves the protective outer layer of teeth, exposing sensitive inner structures.
Multiple Cavities

Most victims develop numerous cavities simultaneously, often in previously healthy teeth.
Crumbling Teeth

Weakened teeth frequently break during normal eating, sometimes requiring complete extraction.
Gum Problems

Many patients experience receding gums, inflammation, and increased susceptibility to infections.
Long-Term Effects

Even after stopping Suboxone, dental deterioration often continues, requiring ongoing treatment.

These serious dental complications have dramatically altered the lives of South Carolina 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

Dental Assessment

Have a dentist document all dental injuries and their likely connection to your Suboxone use.
Collect Records

Gather all prescription history, dental treatment notes, and records from before and after Suboxone use.
Document Impact

Keep a journal of how dental problems affect your daily life, including pain, dietary restrictions, and social impacts.
Seek Evaluation

Complete our simple case evaluation to determine if you qualify for compensation before time limits expire.

Taking these proactive steps can strengthen your potential claim and help our South Carolina Suboxone attorneys build the strongest possible case on your behalf. We understand the challenges you’re facing and are committed to fighting for the full compensation you deserve.

Start Your Claim Today

Don’t face dental suffering alone. Our South Carolina Suboxone lawsuit attorneys are ready to evaluate your case and fight for the justice you deserve. Check your eligibility now with our free evaluation.
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