Why do I have severe pain when the X-ray shows nothing wrong?

Pain can have a cause even when the X-ray looks normal. An early tooth crack is the classic example of something an X-ray does not show well. By symptom: 1) a sharp pain when biting suggests a cracked tooth, 2) pain reaching the jaw or ear suggests the jaw joint or chewing muscles, 3) several upper molars hurting at once suggests maxillary sinusitis, and 4) when no specific tooth can be identified we suspect grinding and clenching or neuropathic pain. We narrow the cause down with bite tests, hot and cold tests, and a CT scan if needed. If pain lasts more than 2 weeks, do not leave it - have a detailed examination.