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.
- Load-bearing capacity of novel resin-based fixed dental prosthesis materials (2018)
- Dental Materials Journal
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Load-bearing capacity of simulated Locator-retained overdenture system (2018)
- Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Mechanical properties and fracture behavior of flowable fiber reinforced composite restorations (2018)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Micro and Nano Structural Analysis of Dental Ceramic and Luting Resin Interface and the Effect of Water Exposure on Integrity of Cement Interface (2018)
- Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Original and Repair Bulk Fracture Resistance of Particle Filler and Short Fiber- Reinforced Composites (2018)
- Operative Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Physical, mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of nanoscale graphene oxide-poly methylmethacrylate composites (2018)
- Journal of Composite Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Physicochemical properties of discontinuous S2-glass fiber reinforced resin composite (2018)
- Dental Materials Journal
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Polymer matrix of fiber-reinforced composites: Changes in the semi-interpenetrating polymer network during the shelf life (2018)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Reinforcing effect of discontinuous microglass fibers on resin-modified glass ionomer cement. (2018)
- Dental Materials Journal
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Short fiber-reinforced composite restorations: A review of the current literature (2018)
- Journal of Investigative and Clinical Dentistry
(A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal ) - The Effect of Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Surface Neutralization on Wettability of Silane Coupling Agents and Adhesive Resin Cements (2018)
- Silicon
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The effect of smear layer removal on E faecalis leakage and bond strength of four resin-based root canal sealers (2018)
- BMC Oral Health
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Travel beyond Clinical Uses of Fiber Reinforced Composites (FRCs) in Dentistry: A Review of Past Employments, Present Applications, and Future Perspectives (2018)
- BioMed Research International
(A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal ) - Two-step vs. one-step conditioning systems and adhesive interface of glass ceramic surface and resin systems (2018)
- Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - A Clinical Guide to Fibre Reinforced Composites (FRCs) in Dentistry (2017) Pekka Vallittu, Mutlu Özcan
(D6 Editorial work for a professional compilation book) - An overview of fixed dental prostheses and the dynamic treatment approach (2017) A Clinical Guide to Fibre Reinforced Composites (FRCs) in Dentistry Pekka Vallittu, Mutlu Özcan
(D2 Article in a professional compilation book) - Bending properties of fiber-reinforced composites retainers bonded with spot-composite coverage (2017)
- BioMed Research International
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Bioactive glass-containing cranial implants: an overview (2017)
- Journal of Materials Science
(A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal ) - Bioactive silicate glass in implantable medical devices: From research to clinical applications (2017) Bioactive Glasses : Fundamentals, Technology and Applications Moritz Niko, Vallittu Pekka
(A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book) - Bond strength of fiber posts and short fiber-reinforced composite to root canal dentin following cyclic loading (2017)
- Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)