Dr. Maria Karras was born 8 weeks after her father, Dr. Spiro Karras, began his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency in Boston. She began working in her father’s practice when she was 18 years old and was quickly inspired to follow in his footsteps. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Illinois at Chicago, with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. While still an undergraduate student, she began doing research in chemical profiling for various cysts and tumors at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, where she also earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. After dental school she completed a one-year internship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UIC. Dr. Maria then entered a four year, hospital based residency program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. She served her residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital (a Level-1 trauma center), the Eastman Institute for Oral Health and at Rochester General Hospital. During her fourth year, she was appointed chief resident.

Her residency included extensive training in out-patient oral and maxillofacial surgery, maxillofacial trauma and reconstruction, orthognathic surgery, and pathology. Dr. Maria also received advanced training in hospital and office based anesthesia, providing more than 1,000 sedations and general anesthetics.

Dr. Maria resides in the northern suburbs and in her free time enjoys yoga, cooking, and reading.