After experiencing dental injuries from Suboxone films, many people want to know if the damage to their teeth is reversible. In most cases, tooth damage caused by Suboxone is not reversible, but there are treatment options. Suboxone films can damage the enamel of teeth, and most enamel damage cannot be reversed. However, there are many ways in which individuals can strengthen their existing enamel through dental treatments and routine maintenance.
The injuries from Suboxone result from the acidity of the strips eroding the enamel of teeth, which is the tooth’s primary defense against decay and other damage. Good hygiene practices such as daily brushing, regular flossing, and using fluoride rinses can help lessen the damage. Additionally, fluoride treatments—either administered by a dentist or added to toothpaste—can help to strengthen tooth enamel. People using Suboxone should talk to their dentists about ways to prevent or decrease the negative dental effects of Suboxone films, including when to brush their teeth and what not to eat or drink after using Suboxone films.
About Suboxone and Reversing the Dental Effects:
Can Tooth Damage from Suboxone Be Corrected?
Treatments Available to Reverse Damage Caused by Suboxone
Does Stopping Suboxone Reverse Tooth Damage?
How to Protect Teeth While Using Suboxone Strips
How Expensive Is it to Fix Teeth Damaged by Suboxone?
Can Tooth Damage from Suboxone Be Corrected?
While most of the dental damage caused by Suboxone films can be treated, much of it is not reversible. Suboxone dental damage can vary from case to case, with problems ranging from tooth decay, tooth cracking, tooth chipping, or changes to tooth sensitivity. Although there are treatments for many of these dental conditions, most of them cannot be truly reversed.
The reason the damage cannot often be reversed is because of how Suboxone actually damages someone’s teeth. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the damage to individuals’ teeth after administering the Suboxone films results from the direct placement of the films onto the teeth. The acidity of the dissolving chemicals, buprenorphine and naloxone, creates a highly acidic environment in one’s mouth. This acidity results in decay and erosion of teeth enamel and makes teeth more sensitive and susceptible to additional dental damage.
Although this damage cannot be undone, people who have used Suboxone films are encouraged to seek guidance from a dentist and remain on the lookout for any dental irregularities.
Is Damage to Tooth Enamel Reversible?
If someone experiences damage to their tooth enamel after taking Suboxone, this damage is unlikely to be undone. Tooth enamel does not regenerate, so most damage to it cannot be fully reversed. When the enamel of a tooth breaks down, it begins to expose the root of the tooth. Although enamel cannot be replaced, preventive steps can be taken to protect one’s teeth.
The best method of proactive maintenance is to routinely see a dentist for cleanings and check-ups and adopt good dental hygiene habits to prevent the breakdown of teeth. Fluoride is often used to treat early stages of enamel erosion as it helps to strengthen the enamel.
Are Gum Infections Curable?
There are many treatments for periodontal/gum disease, but it is not curable. However, the earliest stage of gum disease—gingivitis—can be reversed. It can be improved through regular cleanings and home maintenance to combat the infected area before it spreads to the root of the tooth. Once the gum infection reaches the bone within the gum, there are no reversible treatments. Periodontal treatment can include scaling and root planning, which is a deep cleaning of the bacteria at the root of the teeth. Many periodontal treatments aim to reduce the risk of increased infection and attempt to sustain the tissue at the gumline.
Are Caries Reversible or Will They Lead to Other Problems?
Left untreated, caries can make affected teeth extremely painful and sensitive. Caries is the medical term for tooth decay, which can result in cavities. In the beginning stages of tooth decay, fluoride, a mineral used for effective treatment, can be utilized to prevent the progression and even completely stop tooth decay.
As the tooth decay progresses to the enamel, the next layer, called the dentin, can become more susceptible to bacteria and infection. This can cause teeth to become more sensitive. Once decay has reached the enamel, the damages are not reversible. Once the cavity has formed and there is a hole in the tooth, the permanent damage can only be repaired by a dentist through procedures such as a filling.
Are Cracked Teeth Fixable?
A cracked tooth can often be fixed by a dentist, but it cannot heal on its own. Different methods can be used to fix cracked teeth depending on the severity of the damage. Cracked teeth can range from hairline cracks to root fractures—a crack that originates from below the gum. Dental contouring is the least invasive treatment, where a dentist smooths out rough areas of the tooth. In the most severe cases, often when the damage reaches the root and nerves of the tooth, extraction may be recommended to prevent any infection or further damage.
Will My Saliva Go Back to Normal?
Saliva should return to normal after stopping using the Suboxone films. In many cases this is not an option, as people wish to continue therapy with Suboxone films. Combating dry mouth is the primary way to stimulate saliva production, which will help regulate the pH within the mouth. This can be done by drinking water and limiting or avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and sugary foods, which are significant contributors to dry mouth.
Treatments Available to Reverse Damage Caused by Suboxone
There are many treatments available to help alleviate and treat the dental damage caused by Suboxone. Treatments range from preventative action to surgical intervention. Dental professionals can take many steps aimed to prevent progression of any existing damage. In some cases when damages are beyond repair, tooth extraction and implants can be viable treatment options.
- Treatments for damaged tooth enamel:
- Topical fluoride
- Dental bonding
- Veneers
- Dental crowns
- Treatments for gum infection:
- Antibiotics
- Scaling and root planing
- Osseous surgery
- Guided tissue regeneration
- Gum grafts
- Treatments for caries and cavities:
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental sealants
- Antiseptic and disinfectant treatments
- Fillings
- Treatments for cracked or rotted teeth:
- Dental contouring
- Dental bonding
- Dental crowns
- Veneers
- Root canal
- Extraction
Does Stopping Suboxone Reverse Tooth Damage?
Stopping Suboxone cannot reverse any existing tooth damage. However, it will significantly decrease the likelihood of additional as well as the progression of any current damage. Since Suboxone in most cases is administered daily, repeat and consistent exposure makes the dental effects of Suboxone worse. Stopping Suboxone could allow for intervention steps to be taken and for the potential damages to be caught early However, stopping Suboxone is not always an option, due to its effectiveness in treating opioid use disorder. Individuals who are worried about how Suboxone might be harming their teeth should speak with their doctors and dentists.
How to Protect Teeth While Using Suboxone Strips
Working alongside the advice of the dentist or medical professional, preventative steps can be taken to minimize the damage caused by Suboxone.
Here are some pointers for protecting your teeth while using Suboxone sublingual films:
- Check-up with a dentist for routine care and cleanings.
- After administering Suboxone and once it is completely dissolved, swish water gently around the mouth and swallow to clear residue from the teeth.
- Brush teeth one hour after Suboxone strip is used.
- Drink plenty of water to stimulate the saliva production in the mouth. Saliva acts as a neutralizing agent to the acidity of the Suboxone films.
The Importance of Regular Dental Care While Taking Suboxone
The damage to teeth because of Suboxone is often irreversible. So, it is extra important to keep up on regular dental care while taking Suboxone. When caught at early stages, medical intervention is typically less invasive. Good oral hygiene habits such as flossing, regular brushing, and fluoride treatments are proactive steps to avoid more rigid and expensive treatments and procedures down the line.
Suboxone’s acidic nature breaks down the enamel of the tooth, which is the layer that protects the nerves and root of the tooth from exposure. Once enamel is gone it cannot be regenerated or regrown. People using Suboxone films are encouraged to regularly consult with their dentists.
How Expensive Is it to Fix Teeth Damaged by Suboxone?
Depending on what the procedure required to fix damaged teeth, it can cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. In most cases, individuals who took Suboxone films were not adequately warned, if warned at all, of the severe tooth damage that could result from the films. When damage is detected early, filling of a cavity or dental contouring of chipped teeth may be financially feasible. However, in cases where teeth require crowns, implants, bridges or dentures, these procedures are much more expensive.
The cosmetic and emotional impact of losing teeth is also to be considered. The physical toll of multiple procedures and painful disease is also an important factor, which will only increase if tooth damage is left untreated.
Can A Lawsuit Help Pay for Fixing My Teeth?
Filing a successful lawsuit can help pay for dental costs after Suboxone use. If people join the multidistrict litigation against Suboxone manufacturers, they may eventually be eligible for a settlement or jury award. Sometimes, settlement payouts can be very significant and can cover the costs of fixing teeth. Lawsuit settlements may also consider the cost of future dental care.
MDLs are personal injury lawsuits, and thus settlements are determined on an individual level based on individual factors. Some of these factors include any medical costs one has experienced (in this case any cost for treatment to fix teeth), lost wages due to inability to work, physical pain as well as any emotional suffering resulting from the tooth damage by Suboxone.
Get Compensated for Your Tooth Injuries from Suboxone
King Law is currently pursuing Suboxone cases and taking the necessary steps to help qualified individuals get the compensation they deserve. Fill out our form or call us at 585-535-9114. Our team will work to determine if you are eligible to file a case and seek compensation for what Suboxone did to your teeth. We are ready to support you throughout the legal process.