Dicod asked...
 
"Just curious if you know anything about the procedure for crowns...I know they have to shave the tooth.  Do they use the drill or a different tool for this and if it's a different tool, is the pain if there is any the same as it would be for drilling a tooth.  I would still want novacaine but just wondering if there would be any pain at all."

Think of a crown/cap like a football helmet for your head.  It holds the tooth together from the outside (vs a filling which bonds from the inside).  Crowns are usually a Standard of Care (along with a Post) if a tooth has a RCT (root canal therapy) in it.  Crowns are also used if over 50% of the tooth is filling and the filling/tooth is failing. 

The "worst" part of any dental work (big or small) IMO is the anesthesia (novacaine), but once that is over you should feel NOTHING.  Sometimes you need a little more anesthesia after the initial, but is virtually painless, and if you use Nitrous (laughing gas) you usually won't care, anyway.

The first appointment is a longer appointment; anywhere from 1-2 hours depending.  There is drilling involved with the same drill that drills cavities.  Some people are bothered by the sounds...feel free to bring a walkman.  Some people don't like the "smells", see if the dentist has scented nose cones for the Nitrous, or if you take some scented oil (vanilla extract works good) and wipe it gently across your upper lip, it masks the smells.

The tooth is made smaller and is shaped like a thimble so that there is space between all the teeth to place a crown without it feeling bulky in your mouth.  After the drilling, an impression is taken to send to the lab for your crown.  Then a temporary is fabricated for you to wear home for about 2 weeks while the lab makes the porcelain one.  About 2 weeks later you come back to get the permanent one cemented (1/2 hour).  Done