I had a root canal done 9 yrs ago on tooth #31. I did not have pain. My crown came off a couple of weeks ago. The dentist I saw said it was not seated properly and he could put on a new crown. Monday April 16th I went in for the prep and impressions for the new crown. He was putting in a post and core. At which time this dentist had numerous problems. He was drilling out all the material from the old dentist, he was unable to get a band on my tooth to do the build up. So he lasered my gum back, back to the point where my bone was exposed. The band still did not work so his assistant did a manual built up of the tooth. I had no pain in this tooth, But I certainly did after I left that office. I returned the next day and he took a x-ray that looks terrible he says that's the biggest post and core he has ever seen. I had pain for a week in the tooth. Went to an endodontist who said that they could re-treat the root canal. But did not like the X-ray which did not show the reason for my pain. Went back to this dentist fro a week check up on the gum with my bone being exposed and he said that it needed to be extracted. Now I know this tooth was completely viable and was just able to be re-crowned. I went to the oral surgeon today to have the tooth removed. Painful isn't the word for it. He stated that the canal had been perforated and was causing my pain. I know the dentist is negligent. My questions are would a perforation cause tooth pain? I didn't have pain in the tooth for 9 yrs till he touched it. What do you recommend I do regarding holding this dentist liable for his failure and my pain. I know down the road my top tooth will drop. It is the third molar and the only option later is a implant which I don't feel I should have to pay for. Please help