About Dr. Wright
Dr. Wright of Wheeling, WV is a leading orthodontic specialist. Dr. Wright graduated from the West Virginia University (WVU) School of Dentistry in 1980 with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery. He achieved highest academic honors and was elected into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the dental honorary fraternity, which is limited to the top 5% of the dental class. He began the Orthodontic Residency Program at WVU that same year and completed the post-doctoral program two years later with a certificate and Master of Science degree in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
Dr. Wright passed the rigorous examinations to become board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. At that time, approximately 20% of the orthodontists in the United States had completed the total examination by the ABO. The Board wanted more orthodontists to undergo the examination because of it's value to the practitioner in continuing to re-evaluate their practice. In 1996 Dr. Wright, at the behest of the Chairman of Orthodontics at the West Virginia University School of Orthodontics, with several other ABO certified orthodontists, gave a final examination to the graduating orthodontic residents that followed the ABO examination protocol to encourage them to become ABO certified. Many of the residents have followed through with certification. Today, nationally, 44% of the members of the American Association of Orthodontists are ABO Certified. After giving the Exam for sixteen years Dr. Wright turned over the responsibility to other orthodontists and was immediately asked to begin teaching at WVU. He is the only ABO certified orthodontist in the Wheeling, WV and St. Clairsville, OH area.
He is currently a Diplomate of the College of the American Board of Orthodontics and gave the final examination to the orthodontic residents at WVU for sixteen years. Currently Dr. Wright teaches part-time at the Orthodontic clinic at WVU and is an Associate Clinical Professor.
Dr. Wright has developed a wide-ranging practice that encompasses many interests. The best orthodontic care possible is his passion! He attends innumerable courses around the country to learn from the best practitioners in the world. Their studies and techniques have been incorporated into the care he provides for you and your children. The management of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ or TMD) and craniofacial pain is another special interest. After personally experiencing an episode with TMD in dental school he began special training and again traveled throughout the country to learn all he could to manage these problems for his patients.
Sleep Apnea is also a part of the practice. In the mid-eighties he was asked by a group of physicians to join a team treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Little was known about managing the condition and there was sparse research published. Dr. Wright, in conjunction with the physicians, developed many techniques and did much research of their own in this area and still help patients with this condition. Jaw surgery or orthognathic surgery is also offered when necessary. Treating individuals with cleft lip and palate has also been a long-term interest.
After practicing one year in Charleston, WV, Dr. Wright moved to Wheeling, WV with his wife Vicki in 1983. He opened his own practice and has been in Wheeling ever since. He and Vicki (the former Vicki Zambito) have three children, Jennifer, Lauren and Jonathan, one granddaugher, Alessandra and another on the way!
