I have to get 4 on my back teeth. does the grinding down / build-up process hurt? do they give you novicaine? how long does it take?

i have one side in my mouth that doesnt really respond to novicaine -- and i am nervous about suffering for 2 hours.

I got my temps done two days ago. The grinding part didn't really hurt. I can't tell you about the whole process, I have different circumstances. I had my wizzies out 3 weeks ago and had some complications due to that, but I have to say even with that, I am not really in any pain. They tell you not to chew on the side of the temps though cause it can be a little sensitive.
I think it will totally be an issue without novacaine. It started to wear off on the top of my mouth and when they pushed the crown up...wow, felt that. Very sensitive.

Hi katch22,
I got temporary crowns on three back teeth a week ago. Does the dentist know novocaine may not work? You could ask for general anesthesia. The grinding didn't hurt me - I was well frozen though - just my lips a little from their being stretched so that the dentist could reach properly (wear lip gloss!). Avoid coffee beforehand - so you don't need to go to the washroom in the middle (like I did).
I seem allergic to the metal in the temporary crowns - I have to take Advil two or three times a day and my gums bleed easily there. My dentist is on holiday so I have to wait another week and a half for the real crowns (normally it's just a week).
So here I am, reading message boards, too grumpy to be out socializing.