Meet Dr. Maria Karras Dr. Maria Karras was born just as 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 Rochester General Hospital. During her fourth year, she was appointed chief resident. Her residency included extensive training in outpatient 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.After residency, Dr. Maria joined her father in private practice. After working in a private practice setting for several months, she realized that her true passion lay in Facial Cosmetic Surgery. She applied to and was accepted to one of two accredited Facial Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship programs in the US. She received her training under nationally recognized Cosmetic and Reconstructive Facial Surgeon, Dr. Manolis Manolakakis, in Manhattan and the Jersey Shore. During her Fellowship, Dr. Maria performed full-scope facial cosmetic surgeries, including brow lifts, blepharoplasties, rhinoplasties, lip lifts, facelifts, and neck lifts. She also became proficient in minimally invasive rejuvenation procedures and laser treatments, as well as injectables such as Botox®, hyaluronic acid fillers, and Sculptra;. While serving her Fellowship, Dr. Maria also earned her board certification, becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. "What I love most about cosmetic surgery is the confidence it can give someone. Having a natural and rejuvenated appearance does wonders for your self-esteem"; Dr. Maria's favorite cosmetic procedures are blepharoplasties, or eyelid surgeries. "It's a relatively quick procedure, but rejuvenates the eyes in such a way that patients feel and look refreshed within a short time frame. It’s a small surgery that creates a big impact on someone’s confidence and day-to-day appearance”. Dr. Maria resides in the West Loop and in her free time enjoys yoga, skiing, cooking, exploring the Chicago food scene, and traveling. Professional Organizations: Diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Illinois Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons American Dental Association Illinois State Dental Society Chicago Dental Society Hellenic American Dental Society Hospital Affiliation NorthShore University HealthSystem Presentations & Publications: “Facial Cosmetic Surgery” Guest lecturer, Chicago Academy of Dental Research, 2023 “Temporomandibular Prosthetic Joint Replacement (TJR): Stock or Custom? A Single Institution, Single Surgeon Retrospective Review” Abstract presentation, 2021 AACMFS Annual Meeting “Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Review” Guest lecturer, University of Rochester Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2021 “Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Understanding the Disease, Diagnosis and Management Options” Grand Rounds, Eastman Institute of Oral Health, 2020; Hellenic American Dental Society CE course, 2020 Kolokythas A, Karras M, Collins E, Flick W, Miloro M, Adami G. Salivary Biomarkers Associated with Bone Deterioration in Patients with Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015 September; 73(9):1741-1747. Epub 2015 March 31. Kolokythas A, Karras M, Sarna T, Flick W, Miloro M. Does Cytokine Profiling of Aspirate from Jaw Cysts and Tumors have a Role in Diagnosis? J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2012 May;70(5):1070-80. |
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