Pekka Vallittu
DDS, PhD, CDT
pekval@utu.fi +358 29 450 2861 +358 40 574 8200 Lemminkäisenkatu 2 Turku ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9981-6717 |
Biomaterials in dentistry and medicine; Dental Technology; Prosthetic Dentistry
Number of Peer-Reviewed Publications: 742 (ISI Web of Science All Databases)
H-index: 111
For full list of publications, see
http://apps.webofknowledge.com.ezproxy.utu.fi/Search.do?product=UA&SID=D5GBhXbn6lvOGFpqEaM&search_mode=GeneralSearch&prID=47c1a391-b48e-4785-b6fb-6977327f8bb0
For materials science:
https://research.com/scientists-rankings/materials-science/fi
For art:
http://www.pekkavallittuart.com
Pekka Vallittu earned his degrees in Dental Technology in 1988 and completed both his Doctor of Dental Surgery and Doctor of Philosophy in 1994. He received Adjunct Professorship in 1995 and specialized in prosthodontics and stomatognathic physiology, becoming a European Prosthodontic Association Recognized Prosthodontist in 2000. Currently, he serves as a Full Professor and Chair of Biomaterials Science in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Turku, Finland. Since 2004, with one brief interruption, he has worked as the Head of the Institute of Dentistry at the University of Turku and as the Director of the Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre. He holds an Honorary Professorship at the University of Hong Kong and is a Doctor of Odontology honoris causa (h.c.) from the University of Eastern Finland. Additionally, he has been a Board Member of the University of Turku since 2018.
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Pekka Vallittu has received numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Scientist Award in Prosthodontics and Implant Research from the International Association of Dental Research (IADR), the Acta Odontologica Scandinavica Big Prize, the Bensow-Äyräpää Prize, and the George Winter Award.
Scientific and Societal Impact
Vallittu's research interests began in dental technology and dentistry in the early 1990s, evolving to focus on high aspect ratio filler resin composites (FRC). This area became his predominant research focus for the following decades. In the early 2000s, FRC research expanded to include ceramics, bioceramics, and bioactive glasses, leading to investigations into biomineralizing and bioactive non-metallic bone surgery implants. His current research also explores natural-based fibers, such as nanocellulose, biomineralization, and hydrogels, for applications in dental restorations and bone implants. Through these research initiatives, Vallittu has collaborated with experts in cell biology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and materials chemistry. A significant aspect of his research is translating findings into clinical applications through existing companies or start-ups and addressing regulatory issues related to dental and medical biomaterials (MDR-EU, FDA). Recently, he has been involved in spin-off activities centered on sustainable 3D printing technology and the development of hydrating compounds for medical and technical uses. Pekka Vallittu’s h-index is 109 according to Google Scholar, and the Web of Science databases list 742 of his indexed publications. Research.com ranks him 848th in the world and 4th in Finland among the best materials scientists. He holds over 140 granted international patents based on more than 36 inventions and is a Fellow of the Academy of Dental Materials.
Dental education (theoretical, preclinical and clinical), biomaterial education at different levels in dentistry and medicine.
- Assessing the bond strength of short fiber composites to dentin using various air abrasion particles (2025)
- Journal of Prosthodontic Research
- Cement layer thickness and load-bearing capacity of tooth restored with lithium-disilicate glass ceramic and hybrid ceramic occlusal veneersFracture resistance of endocrowns made from different CAD/CAM materials after prolonged fatigue aging (2025)
- Dental MaterialsClinical Oral Investigations
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - (2025)
- Biomaterial Investigations in DentistryJournal of Biomaterials Applications
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Efficacy of biofilm decontamination methods of dental implant surfaces: A systematic review of in vitro studies (2025)
- European Journal of Oral Sciences
(A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal ) - (2025)
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Gingival keratinocyte adhesion on atomic layer-deposited hydroxyapatite coated titanium (2025)
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Impact of Atomic Layer-Deposited Hydroxyapatite-Coated Titanium on Expression of Focal Adhesion Molecules of Human Gingival Fibroblasts (2025)
- Nanomaterials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Load-Bearing Capacity of Incisors Restored Using Fiber-Reinforced Composite Post-Core Systems (2025)
- Dentistry Journal
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Margin Quality, Homogeneity, and Internal Porosity Assessment of Experimental Short Fiber-Reinforced CAD/CAM Composite (2025)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical MaterialsBMC Oral Health
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - (2025)
- Dental Materials JournalJournal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Phytoliths of bamboo affect the feeding pattern of Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) (2025)
- Scientific ReportsOdontology
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - 2025
- Journal of Materials Science: Materials in MedicineJournal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - A comparative evaluation of commercially available short fiber-reinforced composites (2024)
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Assessing the Efficacy of Novel Fiber-Reinforced Dual-Cure Luting Resins (2024)
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Bacterial adhesion and surface roughness of particulate-filled and short fiber-reinforced composites (2024)
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Biomechanical considerations of semi-anatomic glass fiber-reinforced (GFRC) composite implant for mandibular segmental defects : A technical note (2024)
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Clinical evaluation of posterior flowable short fiber-reinforced composite restorations without proximal surface coverage (2024)
- Odontology
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Clinical Performance of Short Fibre-reinforced Glass Ionomer Cement Restorations in Cervical Carious Lesions : 12-Month Randomized Clinical Trial (2024)
- European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Co-Influence of Restoration Bonding and Inlay Cavity Design on Fracture Load of Restored Tooth (2024)
- European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of Different Beverages and Polishing Techniques on Color Stability of CAD/CAM Composite Restorative Materials (2024)
- Biomaterial Investigations in Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)