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.
- Fracture behavior of structurally compromised non-vital maxillary premolars restored using experimental fiber reinforced composite crowns (2006)
- American Journal of Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - In vitro fracture behavior of maxillary premolars with metal crowns and several post-and-core systems (2006)
- European Journal of Oral Sciences
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Short fiber reinforced composite: the effect of fiber length and volume fraction. (2006)
- Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Early plaque formation on fibre-reinforced composites in vivo. (2005) Tanner J, Robinson C, Söderling E, Vallittu P.
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Bonding of composite resin luting cement to fiber-reinforced composite root canal posts. (2004) Le Bell AM, Tanner J, Lassila LV, Kangasniemi I, Vallittu P.
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Flexural properties of fiber reinforced root canal posts. (2004) Lassila LV, Tanner J, Le Bell AM, Narva K, Vallittu PK.
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Surface analysis of Co-Cr-Mo alloy and Ti substrates silanized with trialkoxysilanes and silane mixtures (2004)
- Surface and Interface Analysis
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Adsorption of parotid saliva proteins and adhesion of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 21752 to dental fiber-reinforced composites. (2003) Tanner J, Carlén A, Söderling E, Vallittu PK.
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Anterior Z250 resin composite restorations: one-year evaluation of clinical performance. (2003) Närhi TO, Tanner J, Ostela I, Narva K, Nohrström T, Tirri T, Vallittu PK.
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Depth of light-initiated polymerization of glass fiber-reinforced composite in a simulated root canal (2003) Le Bell AM, Tanner J, Lassila LV, Kangasniemi I, Vallittu PK.
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Adherence of Streptococcus mutans to an E-glass fiber-reinforced composite and conventional restorative materials used in prosthetic dentistry. (2000) Tanner J1, Vallittu PK, Söderling E.
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of water storage on the elemental composition of E-glass surface: an ESCA study. (2000)
- Journal of Dental Research
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Adherence of Candida albicans to the surface of polymethylmethacrylate- E glass fiber composite used in dentures. (1999) Waltimo T, Tanner J, Vallittu PK, Haapasalo M
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)