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.
- Adhesion of individually formed fiber post adhesively luted with flowable short fiber composite (2023)
- Biomaterial Investigations in Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Bioactive glasses promote rapid pre-osteoblastic cell migration in contrast to hydroxyapatite, while carbonated apatite shows migration inhibiting properties (2023)
- Scientific Reports
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of 3D printing system and post-curing atmosphere on micro- and nano-wear of additive-manufactured occlusal splint materials (2023)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of bioactive glass particles on mechanical and adhesion properties of resin cements (2023)
- Journal of Prosthodontic Research
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of Long-Chain Silane on Mechanical Properties of Experimental Resin Composites (2023)
- Silicon
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of splinting material type and location on resistance against deflection force of splinted periodontally compromised teeth with hypermobility (2023)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of Surface Polishing on Physical Properties of an Occlusal Splint Material for Additive Manufacturing under Protection Gas Post-Curing Condition (2023)
- Polymers
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Evaluation of flexible three-dimensionally printed occlusal splint materials: An in vitro study (2023)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Evaluation of Fracture-behavior in Short Fiber-reinforced Direct and Indirect Overlay Restorations (2023)
- Clinical Oral Investigations
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Fiber-reinforced composites in dentistry: An insight into adhesion aspects of the material and the restored tooth construct (2023)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Fracture behavior of short fiber-reinforced CAD/CAM inlay restorations after cyclic fatigue aging (2023)
- Odontology
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Improving light-cured intermediate resin for hard and space mouthguard using a glass fiber (2023)
- Dental Traumatology
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Load-bearing capacity and wear characteristics of short fiber-reinforced composite and glass ceramic fixed partial dentures (2023)
- European Journal of Oral Sciences
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Particulate Filler and Discontinuous Fiber Filler Resin Composite's Adaptation and Bonding to Intra-Radicular Dentin (2023)
- Polymers
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Physicochemical and biological characterization of functionalized calcium carbonate (2023)
- Materialia
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Plasma Treated AR-Glass Fibres in Experimental Reinforced Composites with Three Silanes: A Study on Mechanical Properties (2023)
- Silicon
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Repair bond strength of bulk-fill composites: influence of different primers and direction of debonding stress (2023)
- Biomaterial Investigations in Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Retrospective Analysis of Artifacts in Cone Beam Computed Tomography Images Used to Diagnose Chronic Rhinosinusitis (2023)
- Diagnostics
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Short Fiber Based Filling Composites (2023) Bulk Fill Resin Composites in Dentistry: A Clinical Guide Garoushi Sufyan, Keulemans Filip, Lassila Lippo, Vallittu Pekka K.
(B2 Non-refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book) - Tailoring the monomers to overcome the shortcomings of current dental resin composites – review (2023)
- Biomaterial Investigations in Dentistry
(A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal )