North Carolina Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Attorneys

The Dental Dangers of Suboxone Treatment

Suboxone is a prescription medication widely used throughout North Carolina to treat opioid use disorder. It combines buprenorphine, which helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, with naloxone, which prevents misuse of the medication. For thousands of North Carolinians struggling with opioid dependence, Suboxone has been an essential component of their recovery process.

The medication is most commonly prescribed 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 can severely damage dental health with prolonged use. Every 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 healthcare providers and patients about the dental risks associated with medications containing buprenorphine, including 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 comprehensive study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that patients using sublingual buprenorphine products had significantly higher rates of dental caries, particularly along the gumline and on surfaces directly exposed to the medication. The research demonstrated that the acidic nature of the medication, combined with its daily use over months or years, creates an environment where even excellent oral hygiene may not prevent damage.

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 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 North Carolina 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 – expensive procedures often not fully covered by insurance. The financial burden frequently exceeds tens of thousands of dollars for comprehensive dental reconstruction.