Anyone know anything about old metal fillings?

[NameWithChange]

Just wondering... I have an old filling in back tooth that is metal. A hole has appeared next to it and i'm booked in to have that filled in a week. Can they take all the metal out at the same time and replace with white?

All little filings they do are white, these metal ones are probably 15/20 years old. I would prefer a white one as looks so much nicer but I think I heard somewhere they are unsafe to remove? Did I dream that? Anyone have a clue
TIA

Not sure about safety (do you mean because of traces of mercury?) but when I asked the same question my dentist told me that it was better to leave it alone and not further compromise an already restored tooth more than was necessary.

Thanks for reply. I think I may mean the mercury.

This new hole is right alongside the edge of the metal. I guess I will ask her opinion on Friday. Just wondered if anyone had any experience.

Yes, your dentist will be best placed to advise. Mine said something along the lines that once a tooth has been drilled, more drilling eventually follows, and ultimately down the line it will become unsustainable. (Could be in 50 years, so don’t panic!) She said keeping intervention minimal as far as possible is the best approach - sleeping dogs, etc.