Case Discussion: The Art of Camouflaging Cant
- Dr. Amanda Seay
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
I’m excited to share this case because it highlights a thoughtful approach to complex maxillary cant challenges, showing how they can be managed in a predictable and esthetic way. One of the key lessons is that success is not always about perfectly leveling the cant, but about camouflaging it to create a natural, balanced smile.
This case involved a patient presenting with a significant maxillary cant, in addition to previous veneers and mild crowding. The occlusal plane was uneven, creating asymmetry between the left and right sides of the maxilla. The patient underwent Invisalign to optimize tooth positioning before restorative work.
Where do we begin?
The treatment plan combined digital photography, 3D scanning, and detailed lab communication to guide temporaries and final ceramic restorations. Temporaries were used to evaluate pink and white esthetics, tissue adaptation and functional harmony. Adjustments were made to line angles, reflective-deflective zones, and gingival scallops to camouflage the cant and create a visually symmetrical smile.
The final result achieved natural esthetics, balanced gingival architecture, and proper functional occlusion, demonstrating the importance of thorough planning, teamwork with the lab, and digital integration in managing complex cases like maxillary cants.
A big thank you to our friends at CMR for joining us on this session of the Case Continuum on Seay Within—we’re thrilled to share these strategies and insights so you can take your own restorative cases to the next level.
Inside this case discussion:
Learn how strategic photos, notes, and lab slips dramatically improve communication and case predictability
See how aligning photography with 3D scans captures cant and midline for precise lab guidance
Understand how provisionals reveal function, esthetics, and tissue response before final ceramics
Discover why annotated photos and benchmarks are critical for complex case success
Learn how 2D and 3D alignment ensures accurate transfer of the cant and occlusal plane
See how subtle adjustments to line angles and tooth proportions create natural-looking symmetry
Master shade, material, and thickness selection for seamless integration with natural teeth
To watch the step-by-step case breakdown, join the Case Continuum on Dr. Seay's Online Educational Platform, Seay Within, for access to this recording and the full library of 60-minute case sessions and clinical tips.
Having strong photography skills is the foundation for predictable, high-quality restorative dentistry, especially in complex cases like maxillary cants.
Learn how to capture every critical angle—full-face, lateral, and intraoral—so photos become more than pictures; they become communication tools. These images guide the lab, support provisional planning, and allow evaluation of esthetics, function, and tissue response before final restorations begin.
Without a solid photography foundation, dentists often send labs raw or incomplete photos, which leaves technicians guessing about tooth position, cant or occlusal plane.
The Photography Course on Seay Within, shows you how to align 2D and 3D records, annotate key details, and create a visual roadmap, so every case—from planning through provisionals to final ceramics—is predictable and reproducible. Essentially, photography becomes the backbone of your treatment planning and lab communication, reducing errors, improving efficiency and ultimately delivering results that patients love.
Dr. Amanda Seay is the award-winning Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Clinical Director of Expertise Dental in Charleston, South Carolina. Her expertise ranges from complex restorative treatment planning to comprehensive preventative and reconstructive dentistry.
Dr. Seay is a recognized leader in the dental industry and has been featured in various dental publications for her influence and dedication to the profession. She was named the 11th Most Influential Person in Dentistry by Incisal Edge Magazine. She is the 85th dentist in the world who has earned the honor of Fellow Accredited Member status with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Dr. Seay is also the co-creator of imPRES Dental Courses, an internationally recognized dental esthetics continuum. She holds a clinical instructor position at the Kois Center, one of the most prestigious dental institutes in the country, and has published over 70 articles covering the art and techniques of esthetic dentistry. She also serves as the Restorative Section Editor for Inside Dentistry.
She is a Key Opinion Leader for many leading dental companies and is involved in the testing and creation of new dental products. She was named Top 25 Women In Dentistry in 2012 by Dental Products Report. Dr. Seay was the recipient of the Lucy Hobbs 2015 Award for the Woman To Watch in Dentistry.