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Cohen & Montini Orthodontics
The art and
science of patient care. W
hen you walk into Cohen & Montini Orthodontics in Gainesville, one of the first things you notice is the artwork - a natural landscape painting here, a sketch of Spiderman there, Florida and FSU emblems side by side. The works have one thing in common; the artist is Dr. Reid Montini, owner of Cohen & Montini Orthodontics. “Art is a big part of who I am, and when we are designing someone’s smile I think that’s important,” said the former art major who considered a career illustrating medical textbooks before deciding on dental school. “To me, orthodontics is the perfect mixture of art and science.” Dr. Montini has practiced at Cohen & Montini Orthodontics since 2005 and uses Invisalign®, clear braces, silver braces, and retainers to create beautiful smiles. Cohen & Montini Orthodontics also offers a complimentary developmental observation program for young patients who are not ready for treatment. Patients with more complex cases such an impacted canine, misaligned jaw, or severe crowding have access to a 3D x-ray machine and computer aided treatment planning. This allows Dr. Montini and the patient to visualize the plan and outcome prior to initiating treatment. The state-of-the-art technology is complemented by Dr. Montini’s sense of fun and his desire to make patients feel at home. The waiting room area is flanked by two flat-screen TVs showing the latest animated movies, and the tooth brushing station features an Xbox 360 gaming system that keeps patients and siblings entertained. He reassures first-time patients with five simple yet effective words: “No shots, no drills – period.” Dr. Montini works under what he calls a conservative and open-minded philosophy,
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emphasizing the importance of observing younger patients first to see how growth progresses on its own. “Watching younger patients for a period of time to see how they naturally develop is smart,” he said. “If we’re watching a child for six to nine months without seeing progress and there’s a situation that could potentially be harmful, then we step in and give a nudge.” Montini’s love of both art and medicine led him to his career in orthodontics. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with his biological science degree from Florida State and graduated in the top five of his class at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He then went on to the University of Florida for his orthodontics residency – a prestigious program that only accepts three applicants per year. During his residency, Dr. Montini also received a Master of Science degree for his research on the perceptions of facial aesthetics following orthognathic surgery. “We were looking to see whether people saw a big improvement in how faces looked in profile following orthodontics and jaw surgery,” he said. It was research that appealed to Dr. Montini’s longtime love of drawing, painting and sculpting – all of which gives him a unique perspective for his work. “With the overall aesthetic of the smile, we’re taking into account the shape of the face, the position of the bones, the position of the teeth relative to the lips, and symmetry,” he said. “My background makes me uniquely suited to assess and improve facial and smile aesthetics. I view each patient’s smile as a unique work of art.” While most of the practice’s patients are teenagers, Cohen & Montini Orthodontics also serves adult clients and young children. Most patients are