Root canal and root planing?

A root canal should not be painful. Once you get over the little pinch and are numbed that is it. The horror stories come from people with infected teeth. This is why dentists now prescribe antibiotics before doing these procedures for infected teeth. It could be slightly sore afterward if it was infected. Root planning shouldn't be painful. However, a lot of picking is involved so it might not be the most pleasant thing and it takes a while. They will numb you if you find it uncomfortable. However, unless you are very sensitive or your gums are really inflammed it should be fine. You may notice gum soreness afterward or cold sensitivity temporarily afterward. If it is painful you should let them know so they can numb you or they may choose to numb you anyways.

Neither should be that uncomfortable after they get you numb. Every person perceives and deals with pain in a different way. So one person may deal with a root canal better than someone else that thought it was the most terrible thing in their life. Same with the root planing. I think that you will do fine with both procedures. You'll see!! It won't be that big of a deal. Good luck.

I can only comment on Root Canal; it is very uncomfortable and also quite lengthy - up to 1 hour or more.

You should be anaesthetised until local anaesthetic and I would say that the likelihood of pain will depend on how efficient your dentist is at finding your nerve and deadening it.

That said, I wouldn't say that it is a particularly painful procedure and it's definitely worth having if it will prevent the loss of your tooth.