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(external) |
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.
- The effect of low-temperature degradation and building directions on the mechanical properties of additive-manufactured zirconia (2023)
- Dental Materials Journal
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Wear behavior at margins of direct composite with CAD/CAM composite and enamel (2023)
- Clinical Oral Investigations
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Zirconia implants interfere with the evaluation of peri-implant bone defects in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images even with artifact reduction, a pilot study (2023)
- Dentomaxillofacial Radiology
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Calcium Carbonate/Hydroxyapatite Microparticles and Osteoblast Responses (2022)
- Solid State Phenomena
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Can Specular Gloss Measurements Predict the Effectiveness of Finishing/Polishing Protocols in Dental Polymers? A Systematic Review and Linear Mixed-effects Prediction Model (2022)
- Operative Dentistry
(A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal ) - Crack propagation and toughening mechanism of bilayered short-fiber reinforced resin composite structure —Evaluation up to six months storage in water (2022)
- Dental Materials Journal
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Development and characterization of ion-releasing fiber-reinforced flowable composite (2022)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Direct Short-Fiber Reinforced Composite Resin Restorations and Glass-Ceramic Endocrowns in Endodontically Treated Molars: A 4-Year Clinical Study (2022)
- European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of 3D Printer Type and Use of Protection Gas during Post-Curing on Some Physical Properties of Soft Occlusal Splint Material (2022)
- Polymers
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of interfacial surface treatment on bond strength of particulate-filled composite to short fiber-reinforced composite (2022)
- Biomaterial Investigations in Dentistry
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Effect of Nitrogen Gas Post-Curing and Printer Type on the Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Hard Occlusal Splint Material (2022)
- Polymers
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Fatigue performance of endodontically treated molars restored with different dentin replacement materials (2022)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Fatigue performance of endodontically treated premolars restored with direct and indirect cuspal coverage restorations utilizing fiber-reinforced cores (2022)
- Clinical Oral Investigations
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Fracture behavior of discontinuous fiber-reinforced composite inlay-retained fixed partial denture before and after fatigue aging (2022)
- Journal of Prosthodontic Research
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Fracture Resistance of Anterior Crowns Reinforced by Short-Fiber Composite (2022)
- Polymers
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Influence of New Sleeve Composite on Fracture Behavior of Anterior Teeth with Flared Root Canals (2022)
- Polymers
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Mechanical Properties Evaluation of Three Different Materials for Implant Supported Overdenture: An In-Vitro Study (2022)
- Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Physicochemical and biological characterization of silica-coated alumina particles (2022)
- Dental Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Quasi-static loading of glass fiber-reinforced composite cervical fusion cage (2022)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Small-Molecule-based Supramolecular Plastics Mediated by Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation (2022)
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)