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.
- Mechanical properties, fracture resistance, and fatigue limits of short fiber reinforced dental composite resin. (2016)
- Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Mechanical properties of fiber reinforced restorative composite with two distinguished fiber length distribution. (2016)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Micro-shear bond strength of different resin cements to ceramic/glass-polymer CAD-CAM block materials (2016)
- Journal of Prosthodontic Research
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Morphological and mechanical characterization of composite bone cement containing polymethylmethacrylate matrix functionalized with trimethoxysilyl and bioactive glass. (2016)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Orthodontics: Bracket Materials, Adhesives Systems, and Their Bond Strength (2016)
- BioMed Research International
(B1 Non-refereed article in a scientific journal) - Photopolymerization of Light Curing Adhesives Used with Metal Orthodontic Brackets and Matrices (2016)
- Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Physical and chemical properties of an antimicrobial Bis-GMA free dental resin with quaternary ammonium dimethacrylate monomer (2016)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Porous SiO2 nanofiber grafted novel bioactive glass-ceramic coating: A structural scaffold for uniform apatite precipitation and oriented cell proliferation on inert implant (2016)
- Materials Science and Engineering: C
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Reinforcing Effect of Glass Fiber-incorporated ProRoot MTA and Biodentine as Intraorifice Barriers (2016)
- Journal of Endodontics
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Shear Bond Strength between Fiber-Reinforced Composite and Veneering Resin Composites with Various Adhesive Resin Systems (2016)
- Journal of Prosthodontics
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Surface roughness and the flexural and bend strength of zirconia after different surface treatments (2016)
- Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The anisotropicity of the flexural properties of an occlusal device material processed by stereolithography (2016)
- Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The effect of cycling deflection on the injection-molded thermoplastic denture base resins (2016)
- Acta Odontologica Scandinavica
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The effect of fibrin sealant on bioactive glass S53P4 particles – pH impact and dissolution characteristics in vitro (2016)
- Journal of Science: Advanced Materials and Devices
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The Effect of Hydrofluoric Acid Etching Duration on the Surface Micromorphology, Roughness, and Wettability of Dental Ceramics (2016)
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Transmission of Curing Light through Moist, Air-Dried, and EDTA Treated Dentine and Enamel (2016)
- BioMed Research International
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Biomateriaalien ja hammastekniikan kehitys kulkevat rinnakkain (2015) Suomen Hammasteknikkoseura ry: 90-vuotismatrikkeli Pekka Vallittu
(D2 Article in a professional compilation book) - Degree of conversion of dual-polymerizing cements light polymerized through monolithic zirconia of different thicknesses and types (2015)
- Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of endodontic chelating solutions on the bond strength of endodontic sealers (2015)
- Brazilian Oral Research
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of pretreatment with collagen crosslinkers on dentin protease activity (2015)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)