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: 112
For full list of publications, see Web of Science All Databases
For materials science:
https://research.com/scientists-rankings/materials-science/fi
For art:
http://www.pekkavallittuart.wordpress.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 interruption, he has worked as the Head of the Institute of Dentistry at the University of Turku until 2024 and he is the Director of the Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre too. He holds an Honorary Professorship at the University of Hong Kong, Visiting Professorship at the King Saud University 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. He is member of The Finnish Artists (Suomen Taiteilijat ry).
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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 111 according to Google Scholar, and the Web of Science databases list 765 of his indexed publications. Research.com ranks him 848th in the world and 4th in Finland among the best materials scientists. He holds over 150 granted international patents based on more than 45 inventions and is a Fellow of the Academy of Dental Materials. He is an invited member of Finska Vetenskaps-Societeten - Suomen Tiedeseura - The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters – Société Scientifique de Finlande - Finnische Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft and The Finnish Academy of Science and Letters - Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia.
Dental education (theoretical, preclinical and clinical), biomaterial education at different levels in dentistry and medicine.
- Biostable composite biomaterials in medical applicationsSynthesis of dimethacrylates monomers with low polymerization shrinkage and its application in dental composites materials (2012) Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, a Nano Approach Pekka K Vallittu
(A4 Refereed article in a conference publication ) - Carbodiimide Cross-linking Inactivates Soluble and Matrix-bound MMPs, in vitro (2012)
- Journal of Dental Research
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Creep of experimental short fiber-reinforced composite resin (2012) Sufyan Garoushi, Muhammad Kaleem, Akikazu Shinya, Pekka K Vallittu, Julian D Satterthwaite, David C Watts, Lippo V J Lassila
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Degradation of silver-polysaccharide nanocomposite in solution and as coating on fiber-reinforced composites by lysozyme and hydrogen peroxide.Translucency of flowable bulk-filling composites of various thicknesses. (2012)
- BiomacromoleculesChinese Journal of Dental Research
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Dentin moisture conditions affect the adhesion of root canal sealers (2012)
- Journal of Endodontics
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of Short Fiber Fillers on the Optical Properties of Composite Resins Composite Resins (2012) Sufyan Garoushi, Pekka K Vallittu, Lippo Lassila
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of various disinfection methods on bonding strength of glassfibre post to root canal dentine (2012)
- Materials Research Innovations
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effects of mechanical properties of adhesive resin cements on stress distribution in fiber-reinforced composite adhesive fixed partial dentures. (2012) Daiichiro Yokoyama, Akikazu Shinya, Harunori Gomi, Pekka K Vallittu, Akiyoshi Shinya
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effects of Non-Silanized and Silanized Glass Particles on the Physical Properties on Denture Base Materials (2012)
- Key Engineering Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Estimation of the surface gloss of dental nano composites as a function of color measuring geometry. (2012)
- American Journal of Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Hammashoidon materiaalit kohti biomateriaaleja. (2012) Jalkaporasta bioaikaan - Hammaslääketiedettä ja suun terveydenhuoltoa sotavuosilta 2000 -luvulle. Pekka K Vallittu
(D5 Text book, professional manual or guide or dictionary ) - Incorporation of an antibacterial and radiopaque monomer in to dental resin system (2012)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Multi-layer porous fiber-reinforced composites for implants: in vitro calcium phosphate formation in the presence of bioactive glass. (2012)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Novel composite implant in craniofacial bone reconstruction (2012)
- European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - One year effect of chlorhexidine on bonding of fibre-reinforced composite root canal post to dentine. (2012)
- Journal of Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Preliminary clinical evaluation of short fiber-reinforced composite resin in posterior teeth: 12-months report (2012)
- Open Dentistry Journal
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Single visit replacement of maxillary canine using fiber-reinforced composite resin (2012)
- Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - (2012)
- Journal of Polymer Research
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The effect of span length of flexural testing on properties of short fiber reinforced composite (2012)
- Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - (2012)
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)



