Anyone had root planing to treat swollen gums?

[MagicSummer]

My dentist has advised me to consult a specialist regarding my swollen and sometimes bleeding gums - have around 3 patches all told - with a view to root planing or at the least very deep cleaning. Has anyone ever experienced this and if so what is it like? I am terrible for anything dental, gag like mad at anything in the back of my mouth, and am a bundle of nerves. A friend had it done around 15 years ago and was in terrible pain and ill from the pills prescribed. I know things move on so would appreciate some more up to date experiences! Thanks.

Yep, I've had root planing 2 years ago (this is 'deep cleaning'). Don't worry, it's painless. You get local anaesthetic. They'll probably do it in two appointments, one for each side of the mouth. It takes maybe 20 minutes and feels much the same as a regular clean, except they're cleaning below the gumline. These days they use ultrasonic scalers which are gentler than what your friend experienced 15 years ago. I wasn't prescribed any pills. After the injections wear off there can be a bit of sensitivity for a week or so, but nothing to worry about. And in a few weeks time your gums will look and feel better, there'll be no more bleeding when you brush (except if they miss a bit - if so, go back and tell them) and you'll be less prone to getting abcesses, as all the tartar will be gone from below the gums. So please don't worry, and don't put it off, get it done now, because tartar below the gums will start to slowly erode the bone holding the teeth in place, leading to problems in the future.

Yeah. I was halfway through treatment when Covid struck. Unfortunately my gums have got bad again, despite using the interdental sticks and brushes.

I had local and they just did 1 quarter at a time. Then prophen afterwards as it was a little sore. I had mine done at the dental hospital in Birmingham by a Dental hygienist lecturer and she was brilliant I'm so dental phobic and I was fine.

I'm a dreadful patient and it was fine

Sorry to hijack, but has anyone had a deep clean/root plan done by the dentist as opposed to hygienist? I'm booked in next week to have my dentist do it (hygienist booked up) but not sure if I would be better waiting until the hygienist is free. My dentist is lovely but I'm not sure how often he does cleanings etc. I'm extremely phobic of anything dental related so without sounding like an awful snob I'd rather go to whoever is most experienced.