Hi,
I've just been to a new Dentist, and he stated that I needed
a filling (no X-Ray taken). Although I wasn't in pain and
there wasn't much visible externally, there was
a visible small dark patch on the crevice in the tooth
(premolar).

When performing the actual filling he said that the decay
had been deeper then he expected, and he seemed to say it
had spread to the adjoining teeth, and they will now need
a filling as well. The filling is across the top / crevice
part of the premolar, not at the side part, if you
see what I mean.

Now of course I understand that a lot can go on inside
the tooth and the fact there was no pain doesn't mean
there wasn't decay.

But my query is about this idea of decay spreading to
adjacent teeth? I could maybe imagine it if the tooth
was a real wreck, - but I don't think this tooth
was that bad. Can decay really sort of jump
across to affect other teeth? As I say the guy
hasn't taken any X-Rays.

Thanks in advance.