Walls and Ceilings - drywall disaster?

I am remodeling a bedroom in our newly purchased home and would like to replace the old drywall. The room has a plaster ceiling that is newer than the walls. I am not sure if taking down the drywall will damage the ceiling and if installing new drywall will damage as well. Can someone give me some tips on removal and installation of the drywall while at the same time not affect the plaster ceiling? Much appreciated

Might be best to start here, Can you put drywall up over the existing plaster walls? If the walls are currently drywall can you tell if the walls butt to the ceiling of if the ceiling butts to the walls. This would be the place to start for replacing the drywall on the walls. Don C.

The existing walls are made of drywall. They arent in the best shape, that is why I am replacing. Unfortunately the newer plaster ceiling butts up to the wall. So I am not sure if I will damage the ceiling when I replace the drywall.

larson,
If the ceiling butts up to the wall, that's what you want. My suggestion is to get a glazing knife (similar to a utility knife but about 10 to 12" long, keeps hands out of the way and adds leverage) and cut through the drywall at the wall/ceiling joint. When doing work like this I usually cut through the drywall about a foot down from the ceiling also and then rip all below out first. This will drastically reduce the weight pulling on the ceiling if you run into any of the spots that just won't give. Less then a foot and you lose leverage and a good hand hold. Then hang your new board. If the ceiling is textured, then you've got a whole new problem to deal with. Good luck, Don C.