A Whiter Smile, Handled the Right Way

Whether Done in The Chair or With Custom Trays at Home

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Coffee stains, wine stains, and years of everyday wear can leave you second-guessing your smile in photos or hesitating before a big meeting. You’ve probably already tried a strip kit or two from the store, only to end up with uneven color, sore gums, or results that faded before you even finished the box.

Dr. Leedy has seen this pattern in patients across Cary for years, and it’s exactly why he uses a whitening method matched to your actual teeth instead of a generic box on a shelf. Once he knows what’s causing your discoloration and how your teeth will respond, you’ll know exactly what to expect before treatment even starts.

Dr Leedy in the process of teeth whitening on a patient

What You Get With Professional Whitening

A Shade That Holds Up

Professional-grade gel, whether applied in the chair or through custom take-home trays, is stronger than anything sold over the counter, so results go deeper and last longer. You won’t need to reapply every few weeks just to keep the color you paid for.

Even Coverage, No Guesswork

Custom trays and controlled application mean the gel reaches every tooth evenly, front to back. No missed spots, no patchy shade lines like you get from ill-fitting strips.

Less Sensitivity, Not More

Dr. Leedy adjusts gel strength and timing based on your enamel and any existing sensitivity, so you get a brighter smile without the raw, achy feeling that store-bought kits are known for.

Options for Your Timeline

Whether you want same-visit results before an event or a gradual change over a couple of weeks, in-office and take-home options give you a way to hit your target shade on your schedule.

Dr Leedy explaining the teeth whitening process to a patient

What’s Between Today and Your New Shade

Step 1: Initial Exam

Dr. Leedy checks for cavities, gum disease, or worn enamel that would need to be addressed before whitening, since treating those first protects your results.

Step 2: Shade Assessment

Your current tooth color is recorded so you have a clear before-and-after comparison once treatment is finished.

Step 3: Pick Your Path

Based on your enamel, timeline, and how dramatic a change you want, Dr. Leedy recommends either an in-office treatment or custom take-home trays. Both are professionally supervised, just on different schedules.

Step 4a: In-Office Treatment

Your gums are protected, whitening gel is applied directly to your teeth, and a specialized light may be used to speed up the process. You’ll see your new shade before you leave.

Step 4b: Take-Home Treatment

Impressions are taken to create trays molded to your exact teeth. You’ll leave with the trays, professional-strength gel, and clear instructions for how long to wear them each day over the following one to two weeks.

Step 5: Reveal and Maintain

In-office patients see results immediately; take-home patients track their progress as the shade lightens day by day. Either way, Dr. Leedy gives you guidance on diet and touch-up timing so your results stick around.

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Why Patients Trust Dr. Leedy With More Than Just Their Teeth

Trusting a new dentist is hard, especially when you already loved the one you had. Hear directly from a longtime patient about what it was like when Dr. Leedy took over her care, and why she now sends her own family, including the pickiest members, through the same doors he practices behind for patients throughout Cary, NC.

The Fastest Way to Find Out About Your Options

Professional whitening, guided by Dr. Leedy, gives you a shade that’s tailored to your teeth and gentle on your gums, with a process you can trust from your first visit to your final reveal. If your smile has been bothering you in photos or you’re just ready for a change, reach out and get a plan specifically for your teeth.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Results typically last six months to two years, depending on your diet and habits. Coffee, red wine, tobacco, and dark sauces speed up staining, while good oral hygiene and occasional touch-up treatments help results last longer.

Most patients feel little to no pain. Some experience temporary tooth sensitivity or mild gum irritation during or shortly after treatment, which usually resolves within a day or two. Letting Dr. Leedy know about sensitivity beforehand allows for gel adjustments that minimize discomfort.

In-office whitening uses a stronger gel applied by a professional for faster, same-visit results. Take-home whitening uses custom trays and a milder gel you apply yourself over one to two weeks, which allows for a more gradual shade change and more control over the final result.

No. Whitening gel only affects natural tooth enamel, so crowns, veneers, and fillings won’t change color. If you have visible dental work, Dr. Leedy can talk through options so your whitened teeth and existing restorations match.

It depends on your starting shade and the cause of discoloration. Surface stains from food and drink typically respond well to whitening, while discoloration from certain medications or internal tooth changes may need a different approach, like bonding or veneers, to get the shade you want.

Yes, when done under professional supervision. Enamel damage usually comes from misusing over-the-counter products, wrong concentration, uneven application, or leaving gel on too long, not from the whitening process itself.