Greetings everyone

I've been wanting to have the one metal filling I have in my mouth removed but am not likely to find a dentist who performs the procedure properly (protective equipment and all). I was wondering though, for anyone who might know.

a) is it really necessary to go through all that? Why have it drilled out? Is there no way for a dentist to simply pry it out with some sort of dental tool, thus eliminating the need for drilling and thus no risk of mercury vapors being inhaled?

b) am I better off keeping it in my mouth than having it removed improperly (i.e., being drilled out without any safety equipment)? As a relatively healthy individual, how damaging can the potential vapors be? How much mercury exists in one filling and how much of it is my body likely to be subject to if drilled out? Doesn't the human body process mercury found naturally in the environment anyway?

I ask this because it's one filling only. If it were several than I'd be more concerned but maybe I'm better off just keeping it in my mouth where it is.

My dentist advised I have it removed, which is why I looked for a forum to post and ask. Thanks in advance!