Does it hurt to have a tooth prepared for a crown?

No. A local anaesthetic is used and the preparation should feel no different from a filling. If the tooth does not have a nerve, and a post crown is being prepared, then local anaesthetic may not be needed.

Are post crowns different? Post crowns may be used when the tooth has been root filled. The weakened crown of the tooth is drilled off at the level of the gum. The dentist makes a double-ended ‘post’ to fit into the root canal. Modern posts are made of fibreglass but sometimes we would opt to use more tradional techniques and have one cast in gold. One end of the post is cemented into the root canal, and the other end holds the crown firmly in place.