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-dental crown is being prepared, then local anaesthetic may not be needed.
The life of a dental crown will depend on how well it is looked after. The dental crown itself cannot decay, but decay can start where the edge of the crown joins the tooth. It is very important to keep this area as clean as your other teeth, or decay could endanger the crown. If properly cared for, crowns will last for many years – your dentist will be able to tell you how long.
Because the shape of the crown will be slightly different from the shape of your tooth before it was crowned, you may be aware of it to begin with. Within a few days, it should feel fine, and you will not notice it. The crown may need some adjustment if it feels higher than the surrounding teeth. If it is at all uncomfortable, ask your dentist to check and adjust it.
