Tooth pain but no cavities. what could this be?

Several options: There are several scenarios where a patient can have pain without decay. First eruption of third molars or wisdom teeth can cause pain. Second , if you are a clencher or grinder you can end up with pain in some of your teeth. Third, there is something called trigeminal neuralgia that can cause tooth pain as well. Finally, make sure your dentist has checked every single tooth clinically plus x-rays.

Many things: You may be grinding your teeth you may have temperature sensitivity you may have a cavity that is not visible you may have sinus related problems you may have tmj/tmd symptoms you may have a fractured tooth ...

Lots of things...: Maybe you pinched the ligament that attaches the tooth to the bone. This happens a lot during chewing hard foods and can even happen while you sleep. It's like a bruise and usually heals on its own. Maybe you have swelling in your gums. You also could have a cracked tooth or something more serious. Time to see your dentist :).

Another Option: If all of the routine dental evaluations result in nothing evident, then it is possible you have a tmj/muscle dysfunction spasm that will radiate to a particular tooth to cause pain. That is referred to as a "trigger point" and is documented in literature for this you need to see a dentist that is very familiar with TMJ treatments and trigger points.

Need more info: You can have no tooth and have tooth pain (phantom tooth pain, atypical facial pain). Pain can also be referred, meaning its coming from somewhere else. The list goes on...

Possibilities-: Cervical sensitivity from exposed root surfaces, tender periodontal ligament from bruxism, gum inflammation, microfractures in crown or root of tooth, referred pain from sinusitis, pain from worn enamel exposing dentin, nerve sensitivity from large amalgam fillings, nerve in tooth inflamed or necrotic from previous cavity, filling, trauma or exposure, undetected cavity, microleakage around filling.

Dental evaluation: Have you seen a dentist? If you have, get another opinion. If negative, see an orofacial-TMJ expert. You may have atypical odontalgia.