Mark Masaru Urata, MD, DDS

Dr. Mark M. Urata is the Audrey Skirball-Kenis Chair and Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He is also Head of the Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and Director of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Urata is uniquely qualified with board certification in both Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as well as Plastic Surgery and holds faculty appointments at both the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC School of Dentistry.
Dr. Urata trained for 18 years following his undergraduate education. He received his dental degree from the USC School of Dentistry and his medical degree from the USC Keck School of Medicine. He completed a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery before matriculating to general surgery and then completing a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at USC. He then moved across town where he completed a fellowship in craniofacial surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles.

He specializes in the most complex craniofacial anomalies, including craniosynostosis, syndromic reconstruction, vascular anomalies, pediatric and adult craniomaxillofacial trauma, post-traumatic reconstruction, orthognathic surgery, aesthetic surgery of the head and neck and jaw deformities.

Dr. Urata has authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters and has been voted amongst the nation’s top surgeons according to multiple sources including U.S. News and World Report, Best Doctors and America’s Best Plastic Surgeons. He maintains NIH funded research within the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology related to defining TGF Beta signaling in palatogenesis. He is also interested in computerized planning of Le Fort III and orthognathic surgery and outcomes studies on cleft lip and palate.

• Advancing Craniosynostosis Treatment (ACT)Rare Diseases Consortium
  NIH · U54DE035976 · Aug 19, 2025 – May 31, 2030 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• Center for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Tissue and Organ Regeneration (C-DOCTOR)
  NIH · U24DE026914 · Mar 1, 2017 – Feb 28, 2021 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• CENTER FOR DENTAL, ORAL AND CRANIOFACIAL TISSUE ORGAN REGENERATION (C-DOCTOR)
  NIH · R34DE025575 · Sep 1, 2015 – Aug 31, 2017 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
• TGF-BETA SIGNALING IN PALATOGENESIS
  NIH · K08DE017754 · Mar 1, 2008 – Feb 28, 2014 · Role: Principal Investigator

• Enhanced Efficacy of Combined Iliac Crest Bone Graft and Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein for Alveolar Bone Grafting. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026 Jun 19; 10556656261461128.. View in PubMed
• Algorithm-Based Reconstruction for Pediatric Mandibular Desmoid Tumors: Two Decades From a Single Institution. J Craniofac Surg. 2026 May 05.. View in PubMed
• Disparities in Appointment Attendance Among Children with Cleft Lip and Palate: A 10-Year Analysis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026 Apr 16; 10556656261442417.. View in PubMed
• Public Insurance Is Associated With Increased Emergency Visits After Craniosynostosis Surgery. J Surg Res. 2026 Jun; 322:131-135.. View in PubMed
• Suprazygomatic Maxillary Nerve Block is Associated with Reduced Postoperative Inpatient Opioid Requirement in Patients Undergoing Palatoplasty. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026 Mar 12; 10556656261429798.. View in PubMed
• The Impact of Socioeconomic Deprivation on Timing and Long-Term Outcomes of Cleft Surgery: A 30-Year Retrospective Analysis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026 Feb 16; 10556656251361676.. View in PubMed
• Safety and Operative Outcomes of the Use of Resorbable Distractors in Posterior Cranial Vault and Mandibular Distraction. J Craniofac Surg. 2026 Jan 29.. View in PubMed
• Clinical and Surgical Predictors of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency After Le Fort I in Patients With Cleft Palate. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 Oct 29.. View in PubMed
• Evaluating Surgical Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis of 2 Techniques for Sphincter Pharyngoplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2026 06 01; 157(6):887e-894e.. View in PubMed
• Nutritional Needs and Growth Patterns in Patients With Robin Sequence Following Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis. Ann Plast Surg. 2025 12 01; 95(6):654-660.. View in PubMed
• Mastering the Art of Symmetry: Long-Term Outcomes and Management in Patients with Tessier No. 7 Cleft. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026 Aug; 63(8):2523-2533.. View in PubMed
• Sociodemographic Disparities in Surgical Timing and Outcomes of Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 Sep 22.. View in PubMed
• The Cumulative Burden of Comorbidities on Complications Following Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis in Robin Sequence. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026 Aug; 63(8):2283-2293.. View in PubMed
• Free vs. Local Tissue Transfer and Reconstruction in Pediatric Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Comparable Complication Outcome Review. Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Aug 18; 61(8).. View in PubMed
• Free Flap Reconstruction for Malignant Pediatric Jaw Tumors: A Palliative Approach. Head Neck. 2025 12; 47(12):3221-3227.. View in PubMed
• Syndromic Craniosynostosis: The Hidden Burden of Comorbidities on Surgical Outcomes. Ann Plast Surg. 2025 07 01; 95(1):54-58.. View in PubMed
• A Single Institution Comparison of Speech Outcomes Following Palatoplasty in Stickler Syndrome. Ann Plast Surg. 2025 10 01; 95(4):375-381.. View in PubMed
• A Comparison of Maxillofacial and Axial/Appendicular Giant Cell Lesions in Pediatric Patients: Management Strategies and Outcomes. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 Jun 27.. View in PubMed
• A Comparison of Speech Outcomes Among Patients With Syndromic Cleft Palate: A 20-year Review. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 Jun 25.. View in PubMed
• Association of Preoperative Nutritional Status With Outcomes in Fronto-Orbital Advancement for Syndromic Craniosynostosis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2025 10; 83(10):1223-1232.. View in PubMed
• Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation Predicts Poor Wound Healing Following Head and Neck Free Tissue Transfer in Children. Am Surg. 2025 Oct; 91(10):1677-1683.. View in PubMed
• Early Cleft Lip Repair: Who’s Getting it and Why Sociodemographics Matter. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026 Jun; 63(6):1741-1747.. View in PubMed
• Ten Years of Pediatric Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Surgery: National Operative Trends, 30-day Complication Rates, and Implications. Am Surg. 2025 Oct; 91(10):1643-1649.. View in PubMed
• Early Longitudinal Development in a Diverse Prospective Cohort with Sagittal, Unicoronal, or Metopic Craniosynostosis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026 Jun; 63(6):1476-1489.. View in PubMed
• The Efficacy of Postoperative Helmet Therapy After Open Cranial Vault Remodeling for Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 Nov-Dec 01; 36(8):2717-2721.. View in PubMed
• A Nationwide Analysis of the Impact of Craniofacial Syndromes on Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis Outcomes. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026 May; 63(5):1114-1122.. View in PubMed
• Predictors of Reoperation After Orthognathic Surgery in Patients With Cleft Palate: Two Decades of Insight. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 06 01; 36(4):1146-1151.. View in PubMed
• Evaluating diagnostic uncertainty and the role of surgical management in cherubism: a review of nine cases. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2025 08; 140(2):159-167.. View in PubMed
• Factors Influencing Fronto-Orbital Relapse in Patients With Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A 2 Decade Review. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 Mar-Apr 01; 36(2):448-453.. View in PubMed
• The Impact of Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding on Midface Growth in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025 Nov; 62(11):1939-1946.. View in PubMed
• REPLY: The Risk of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Children: Guidance for Antiresorptive Use in Pediatric Patients. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2024 Dec; 82(12):1514.. View in PubMed
• Premaxillary Setback in the Management of Patients With Bilateral Cleft Lip: A 2 Decade Review. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026 Jan; 63(1):104-111.. View in PubMed
• Tranexamic Acid is Associated With Reduced Blood Loss and Transfusion Requirement in Pediatric Midface Reconstruction. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2025 03; 83(3):286-293.. View in PubMed
• Comparing Three-dimensional Radiologic Outcomes Between Early Versus Late Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 Jan-Feb 01; 36(1):78-83.. View in PubMed
• Skeletal and Soft Tissue Surgeries in the Long-term Management of Patients With Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A 20-Year Review. Ann Plast Surg. 2024 10 01; 93(4):464-469.. View in PubMed
• Expanding Accessibility in Cleft Care: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Improving Literacy of Alveolar Bone Grafting Information. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025 Nov; 62(11):1873-1880.. View in PubMed
• Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Delayed Presentation in Craniosynostosis Surgery at a Tertiary Children’s Hospital. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2024 Aug; 12(8):e6035.. View in PubMed
• Orthognathic Surgery Rates in Furlow Double-Opposing Z-Plasty Versus Straight-Line Repair: A Review of Three Decades of Experience. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025 Nov; 62(11):1825-1834.. View in PubMed
• Polysomnogram Findings and Psychosocial and Academic Concerns in Children With Cleft Palate With or Without Cleft Lip. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 05 01; 36(3):820-825.. View in PubMed
• Reverse Engineering Orthognathic Surgery and Orthodontics in Individuals with Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Case Report. Bioengineering (Basel). 2024 Jul 31; 11(8).. View in PubMed
• Custom Endoprosthesis-Assisted Pediatric Microsurgical Jaw Reconstruction. J Craniofac Surg. 2025 Jan-Feb 01; 36(1):48-53.. View in PubMed
• A National Analysis of Craniosynostosis Demographic and Surgical Trends Over a 10-Year Period. J Craniofac Surg. 2024 10 01; 35(7):1980-1984.. View in PubMed
• The Risk of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Children: Guidance for Antiresorptive Use in Pediatric Patients. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2024 10; 82(10):1285-1294.. View in PubMed
• Inpatient versus Outpatient Alveolar Bone Grafting: A Nationwide Cost Analysis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025 Aug; 62(8):1385-1394.. View in PubMed
• A Nationwide Analysis of the Impact of Cardiopulmonary Anomalies on Cleft Palate Surgical Outcomes. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025 Aug; 62(8):1346-1351.. View in PubMed
• A Review of Socioeconomic Disparities in Submucous Cleft Diagnosis and Outcomes. J Craniofac Surg. 2024 May 21.. View in PubMed
• Failure Rates Based on Alveolar Cleft Volume: Analysis of the Critical-Size Defect for Alveolar Bone Grafting. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025 02 01; 155(2):377e-386e.. View in PubMed
• A Single Institution 19 Year Comparison of Furlow and Straight Line Palatoplasty Techniques in Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025 Jul; 62(7):1134-1143.. View in PubMed
• A 10-Year Nationwide Analysis of Risk Factors of Readmission and the Implications of Same-Day Discharge Following Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Correcting Surgery. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025 Jun; 62(6):950-958.. View in PubMed
• Comparing Outcomes of Traditional Lip Repair Versus Early Cleft Lip Repair on a National Scale. Ann Plast Surg. 2024 02 01; 92(2):194-197.. View in PubMed
• Dental Protraction Versus Surgery for Cleft Lip and Palate: A Budget Impact Analysis. J Craniofac Surg. 2024 Jan-Feb 01; 35(1):129-132.. View in PubMed
• A Calvarial Defect Model to Investigate the Osteogenic Potential of Umbilical Cord Stem Cells in Bone Regeneration. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2024 03 01; 153(3):637-646.. View in PubMed
• Early Ophthalmology Findings in Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis. J Craniofac Surg. 2023 Jun 01; 34(4):1259-1261.. View in PubMed
• Orbital Foraminal Morphometrics in Nonsyndromic Unilateral Coronal Craniosynostosis. Ann Plast Surg. 2023 06 01; 90(6S Suppl 5):S677-S680.. View in PubMed
• Comparative Benefits of Open versus Closed Reduction of Condylar Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2023 04 01; 151(4):664e-672e.. View in PubMed
• From Bedside to Bench and Back: Advancing Our Understanding of the Pathophysiology of Cleft Palate and Implications for the Future. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2024 05; 61(5):759-773.. View in PubMed
• Premaxillary Setback in Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Repair. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2024 03; 61(3):416-421.. View in PubMed
• Early Cleft Lip Repair: Demonstrating Efficacy in the First 100 Patients. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022 11 01; 150(5):1073-1080.. View in PubMed
• Syndromic Synostosis: Frontofacial Surgery. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2022 Aug; 34(3):459-466.. View in PubMed
• Increased Distraction Magnitude Leads to Greater Reduction in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index in Infants With Robin Sequence. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022 09; 80(9):1486-1492.. View in PubMed
• Reconstructive Surgeons as Essential Operative Consultants: Quantifying the True Value of Plastic Surgeons to an Academic Medical Center. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022 Apr 01; 149(4):767e-773e.. View in PubMed
• The clinical manifestations, molecular mechanisms and treatment of craniosynostosis. Dis Model Mech. 2022 04 01; 15(4).. View in PubMed
• Tympanostomy Tubes: Are They Necessary? A Systematic Review on Implementation in Cleft Care. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2023 04; 60(4):430-445.. View in PubMed
• Craniofacial Dysmorphology in Infants With Non-Syndromic Unilateral Coronal Craniosynostosis. J Craniofac Surg. 2022 Sep 01; 33(6):1903-1908.. View in PubMed
• Orthognathic Surgery Rate in Cleft Care. J Craniofac Surg. 2022 Jan-Feb 01; 33(1):87-92.. View in PubMed
• Appropriateness of Computed Tomography Scanning in the Diagnosis of Craniosynostosis. J Craniofac Surg. 2022 Jan-Feb 01; 33(1):222-225.. View in PubMed
• Rethinking the Rule of 10s: Early Cleft Lip Repair Improves Weight Gain. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2023 03; 60(3):306-312.. View in PubMed
• Assessing the Safety of a Novel Neonatal Anesthesia Protocol: A Review of 101 Patients With Early Cleft Lip Repair. J Craniofac Surg. 2021 Nov-Dec 01; 32(8):2682-2686.. View in PubMed
• Midface Growth Potential in Unoperated Clefts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Craniofac Surg. 2022 May 01; 33(3):774-778.. View in PubMed
• Establishing a Novel Treatment Algorithm for Pediatric Mandibular Tumor Reconstruction. J Craniofac Surg. 2022 May 01; 33(3):744-749.. View in PubMed
• Sphenotemporal and Fronto-Orbital Dysmorphology in Unilateral Coronal Synostosis Using Geometric Morphometric Curve-Based Analysis. J Craniofac Surg. 2021 Oct 01; 32(7):2449-2451.. View in PubMed
• Reply: Simultaneous Midface Advancement and Orthognathic Surgery: A Powerful Technique for Managing Midface Hypoplasia and Malocclusion. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021 09 01; 148(3):504e-505e.. View in PubMed
• Is Le Fort I Distraction Enough to Treat Severe Midface Hypoplasia? J Craniofac Surg. 2021 Jul-Aug 01; 32(5):1716-1720. Goel P, Fahradyan A, Wolfswinkel EM, Jacob L, Yen SL , Urata MM , Hammoudeh JA . View in PubMed
• Postoperative helmet therapy following fronto-orbital advancement and cranial vault remodeling in patients with unilateral coronal synostosis. Am J Med Genet A. 2021 09; 185(9):2670-2675.. View in PubMed
• Cleft Lip and Palate: Le Fort I Distraction Using an Internal Device. Clin Plast Surg. 2021 Jul; 48(3):407-417.. View in PubMed
• Mesenchymal stem cells and three-dimensional-osteoconductive scaffold regenerate calvarial bone in critical size defects in swine. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2021 08; 10(8):1170-1183.. View in PubMed
• Factors Associated With Delay in Cleft Surgery at a Tertiary Children’s Hospital in a Major US Metropolitan City. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2021 12; 58(12):1508-1516.. View in PubMed
• Nasoalveolar Molding: Assessing the Burden of Care. J Craniofac Surg. 2021 Mar-Apr 01; 32(2):574-577.. View in PubMed
• Simultaneous LeFort III and LeFort I Osteotomies in Craniometaphyseal Dysplasia. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2021 12; 58(12):1560-1568.. View in PubMed
• Reciprocal interaction between mesenchymal stem cells and transit amplifying cells regulates tissue homeostasis. Elife. 2021 01 22; 10.. View in PubMed
• Cranial Suture Regeneration Mitigates Skull and Neurocognitive Defects in Craniosynostosis. Cell. 2021 01 07; 184(1):243-256.e18.. View in PubMed
• Craniofacial Dysmorphology in Unilateral Coronal Synostosis Using Three-Dimensional Landmark-Based Analysis With Generalized Procrustes Superimposition. J Craniofac Surg. 2021 Jan-Feb 01; 32(1):16-20.. View in PubMed
• Rotation of the Ipsilateral Supraorbital Rim Around the Horizontal Axis in Unilateral Coronal Synostosis: A Craniometric Analysis of the Emergence Profile. J Craniofac Surg. 2021 Jan-Feb 01; 32(1):168-172.. View in PubMed
• Temporal Fat Grafting in Children With Craniofacial Anomalies. Ann Plast Surg. 2020 11; 85(5):505-510.. View in PubMed
• Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Impact and Nasopharngoscopy Discomfort and Cooperation: Patient, Parent, and Provider Perspectives. J Craniofac Surg. 2020 Sep; 31(6):1713-1716.. View in PubMed
• Simultaneous Midface Advancement and Orthognathic Surgery: A Powerful Technique for Managing Midface Hypoplasia and Malocclusion. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2020 06; 145(6):1067e-1072e.. View in PubMed
• The Monobloc Distraction With Facial Bipartition: Outcomes of Simultaneous Multidimensional Facial Movement Compared With Monobloc Distraction or Facial Bipartition Alone. Ann Plast Surg. 2020 05; 84(5S Suppl 4):S288-S294.. View in PubMed
• Orthodontic Considerations for Cleft Orthognathic Surgery. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2020 May; 32(2):249-267.. View in PubMed
• Outcomes of Intracranial Versus Subcranial Approaches to the Frontofacial Skeleton. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2020 09; 78(9):1609-1616.. View in PubMed
• Sebaceous Nevus of the Scalp. J Craniofac Surg. 2020 Jan.. View in PubMed
• Less Is More in Congenital and Pediatric Nasal Lesions. J Craniofac Surg. 2019 Sep; 30(6):1777-1779.. View in PubMed
• Evaluation of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Prone Versus Nonprone Body Positioning With Polysomnography in Infants With Robin Sequence. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2020 02; 57(2):141-147.. View in PubMed
• Antagonistic interaction between Ezh2 and Arid1a coordinates root patterning and development via Cdkn2a in mouse molars. Elife. 2019 07 01; 8.. View in PubMed
• Cosmetically Challenging Congenital Melanocytic Nevi. Ann Plast Surg. 2019 05; 82(5S Suppl 4):S306-S309.. View in PubMed
• Risk Factors for Preoperative Developmental Delay in Patients with Nonsyndromic Sagittal Craniosynostosis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019 01; 143(1):133e-139e.. View in PubMed
• To Admit or Not to Admit: That is the Cleft Lip Question. Confirming the Safety of Outpatient Cleft Lip Repair. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 07; 142(1):159-168.. View in PubMed
• External Port Tissue Expansion in the Pediatric Population: Confirming Its Safety and Efficacy. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 06; 141(6):883e-890e.. View in PubMed
• A Single Lab Test to Aid Pierre Robin Sequence Severity Diagnosis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2019 03; 56(3):298-306.. View in PubMed
• Alternatives to Autologous Bone Graft in Alveolar Cleft Reconstruction: The State of Alveolar Tissue Engineering. J Craniofac Surg. 2018 May; 29(3):584-593.. View in PubMed
• Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Regenerative Medicine: Transforming Biotechnologies for Innovating Patient Care. J Dent Res. 2018 04; 97(4):361-363.. View in PubMed

• Hammoudeh, Jeff
• Magee, William