Ear pain after 2 "same day" crowns

I had silver fillings in my 2 back teeth on the bottom left and decay was slowly forming around the edges of the fillings, as well as I was starting to show small cracks in the teeth.  The dentist recommended doing "same day crowns" on those two teeth.  I got it done and it just felt all wrong - there was no contour to the crowns and they felt too big in my mouth.  After a week I went back because my bite didn't feel right and the dentist said he couldn't let me walk out of there without being honest and telling me the crowns needed to be redone.  He said they didn't prep my teeth far enough down so when they put the crowns on, they had to drill down the crowns to the point that they were thin and flat.  

So I went back for another full day of dental work - they took the first set off, took more images of my teeth and created new crowns.  I could tell a big difference RIGHT away with the new crowns - they seemed to fit MUCH better than the first set.  However, I have had serious ear aches and sensitive teeth ever since the second set of crowns were put on.  I wake in the night with pain, I chew with pain, and so on.  

I have read other posts about how the nerve might have been affected during the crown process (especially since I had to do it twice).  If I go back and the dentist says, "you need a root canal" does that mean *I* have to now pay for a root canal?  the crowns were $1100 out of pocket, there's no way I can afford to dish out more money for root canals!!!!!

Should I ditch the dentist and go back to the guy I really trust even if it costs me another grand???  Do I give the current dentist one more chance?    I just can't leave this ear pain, it's debilitating.  I also don't want to live on ibuprofen either!  I would love any advice you have to give!