Any Advice for a 17 Month Old with a Tooth Intrusion?

Most definitely get a second and even third opinion if you can. I wouldn't allow them to pull a tooth with just numbing for a 17 month old. That's way too traumatic for a child. Think of how they act with shots into their leg that last seconds. Oral injections to completely numb her in that area are PAINFUL and are more than just a quick stick like vaccinations are. To fully numb in the front like that, they have to reach the facial nerve, up near the nose, so it is a long needle. When i had to have that done, I was 25 years old and it was all I could do to sit still while they did those injections.

Here is some info for you (scroll down to intrusion) about the parameters the doctor looks at when determining if a primary tooth needs to be extracted when there is an intrusion:

http://dentalresource.org/topic50trauma.html

And I agree with Acadia-if you weren't seen by a pediatric dentist that's who you need to see. They have 2 years specialized training beyond the 4 years of dental school.

I agree with the other posters that a second opinion is a good idea especially since the pediatric dentist you saw only wants to numb her. That being said I can't imagine that she will be toothless for the next 6 years. I knocked out my front tooth when I 2-3 years old. The dentist put in a spacer (fake tooth) until I was ~5-6 years old. This did mean I had a few eating restrictions which as a mom are nice - no gum, gummy bears, etc.

I am always in favor of second opinions. With that said, if the tooth is dead, it is my understanding that it needs to be removed. It has something to do with the rotting of the root. You wouldn't want a dead and decaying root to be inside her mouth damaging healthy tissue and causing infection.

This happened to my neice when she was about the same age. She is 7 and just got her 'new tooth' last month!!! Of course, we'd rathered her be able to keep the tooth, but time flew and we have some adorable toothless pictures!!

I have no experience with this, but anytime surgery is brought up, get a second opinion. If you haven't already, try to find a pediatric dentist.

I don't have any experience with an intrusion, but I do have a small child that had to have a few fillings and her dentist put her under for those (she was 3 when this happened). I can't imagine why they wouldn't do that with a 17 month old. I would absolutely get a second opinion.