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.
- Synthesis of methacrylate monomers with antibacterial effects against S. mutans. (2011)
- Molecules
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The Effect of Exposed Glass Fibers and Particles of Bioactive Glass on the Surface Wettability of Composite Implants (2011)
- International Journal of Biomaterials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The effect of high fiber fraction on some mechanical properties of unidirectional glass fiber-reinforced composite (2011)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The effect of surface treatment on bond strength of layering porcelain and hybrid composite bonded to zirconium dioxide ceramics. (2011)
- Journal of Prosthodontic Research
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Three-dimensional finite element analysis of posterior fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial denture: Part 2: influence of fiber reinforcement on mesial and distal connectors. (2011)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Uudet metallittomat materiaalit - missä mennään? (2011)
- Suomen Hammaslääkärilehti
(D1 Article in a professional journal) - Bonding of Composite Resin to Dentin Using Rigid Rod Polymer Modified Primers (2010)
- Journal of Adhesive Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Bond strength of soft liners to fiber-reinforced denture-base resin (2010)
- Journal of Prosthodontics
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of ceramic filler content on the mechanical and thermal behaviour of poly-L-lactic acid and poly-L-lactic-co-glycolic acid composites for medical applications (2010)
- Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of chlorhexidine on initial adhesion of fiber-reinforced post to root canal (2010)
- Journal of Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of different intraorifice barriers on the fracture resistance of root obturated with resilon or gutta-percha (2010)
- Journal of Endodontics
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effects of heat treatment of wood on hydroxylapatite type mineral precipitation and biomechanical properties in vitro (2010)
- Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Etuhampaiden ulkonäön korjaus kerrostettavalla yhdistelmämuovilla (2010)
- Suomen Hammaslääkärilehti
(B1 Non-refereed article in a scientific journal) - Experimental novel silane system in adhesion promotion between dental resin and pretreated titanium. Part II: effect of long-term water storage: rapid communication (2010)
- Silicon
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Five-year survival of 3-unit fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures in the posterior area (2010)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Osteoblast response to polymethyl methacrylate bioactive glass composite (2010)
- Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The Effect of Heat Treatment and Feldspathic Glazing on Some Mechanical Properties of Zirconia (2010)
- Silicon
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The effect of primers and resins on the shear bond strength of resin composite to zirconia (2010) Heikkinen T T, Matinlinna J P, Vallittu P K, Lassila L V J
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Adherence of Streptococcus mutans to Fiber-Reinforced Filling Composite and Conventional Restorative Materials. (2009)
- Open Dentistry Journal
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Continuous and short fiber reinforced composite in root post-core system of severely damaged incisors. (2009)
- Open Dentistry Journal
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)