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.
- Single and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Fillers in Poly(methyl methacrylate)-Based Implant Material (2017)
- Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Spot-Bonding and Full-Bonding Techniques for Fiber Reinforced Composite (FRC) and Metallic Retainers (2017)
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Structural properties of dental FRC structures (2017) A Clinical Guide to Fibre Reinforced Composites (FRCs) in Dentistry Pekka Vallittu, Akikazu Shinya
(D2 Article in a professional compilation book) - Types of FRCs used in dentistry (2017) A Clinical Guide to Fibre Reinforced Composites (FRCs) in Dentistry Pekka Vallittu, Jukka Matinlinna
(D2 Article in a professional compilation book) - A glass fiber-reinforced composite - bioactive glass cranioplasty implant: A case study of an early development stage implant removed due to a late infection (2016)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Are we misusing fiber posts? Guest editorial (2016)
- Dental Materials
(B1 Non-refereed article in a scientific journal) - Bioactive glass surface for fiber reinforced composite implants via surface etching by Excimer laser (2016)
- Medical Engineering and Physics
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Compression properties and dissolution of bioactive glass S53P4 and n-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive –composite (2016)
- Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Corrigendum to 'Physical properties and depth of cure of a new short fiber reinforced composite' [Dent Mater 29 (8) (2013) 835-841] (2016)
- Dental Materials
(Other publication) - Damage of the Interface Between an Orthodontic Bracket and Enamel – the Effect of Some Elastic Properties of the Adhesive Material (2016)
- Mechanics of Composite Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of Removal of Enamel on Rebonding Strength of Resin Composite to Enamel (2016)
- BioMed Research International
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of several intracanal medicaments on the push-out bond strength of ProRoot MTA and Biodentine (2016)
- International Endodontic Journal
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of solvent/disinfectant ethanol on the micro-surface structure and properties of multiphase denture base polymers (2016)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Flexural behavior of glass fiber reinforced composite wires with two monomer compositions compared to steel wire used as an orthodontic retainer (2016)
- Strength, Fracture and Complexity
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Fracture behavior of single-structure fiber-reinforced composite restorations (2016)
- Acta Biomaterialia Odontologica Scandinavica
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Influence of increment thickness on light transmission, degree of conversion and micro hardness of bulk fill composites (2016)
- Odontology
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Influence of tooth brushing on adhesion strength of orthodontic brackets bonded to porcelain (2016)
- Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Käytämmekö kuitunastoja väärin? (2016)
- Suomen Hammaslääkärilehti
(D1 Article in a professional journal) - Keraamit hammashoidon materiaaleina (2016)
- Suomen Hammaslääkärilehti
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Mechanical and structural characterization of discontinuous fiber-reinforced dental resin composite. (2016)
- Journal of Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)