Pekka Vallittu
DDS, PhD, CDT
pekval@utu.fi +358 29 450 2861 +358 40 574 8200 Lemminkäisenkatu 2 Turku : 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.
- Damage of the Interface Between an Orthodontic Bracket and Enamel – the Effect of Some Elastic Properties of the Adhesive Material (2016)
- Mechanics of Composite Materials
- Effect of Removal of Enamel on Rebonding Strength of Resin Composite to Enamel (2016)
- BioMed Research International
- Effect of several intracanal medicaments on the push-out bond strength of ProRoot MTA and Biodentine (2016)
- International Endodontic Journal
- Effect of solvent/disinfectant ethanol on the micro-surface structure and properties of multiphase denture base polymers (2016)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Flexural behavior of glass fiber reinforced composite wires with two monomer compositions compared to steel wire used as an orthodontic retainer (2016)
- Strength, Fracture and Complexity
- Fracture behavior of single-structure fiber-reinforced composite restorations (2016)
- Acta Biomaterialia Odontologica Scandinavica
- Influence of increment thickness on light transmission, degree of conversion and micro hardness of bulk fill composites (2016)
- Odontology
- Influence of tooth brushing on adhesion strength of orthodontic brackets bonded to porcelain (2016)
- Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering
- Käytämmekö kuitunastoja väärin? (2016)
- Suomen Hammaslääkärilehti
- Keraamit hammashoidon materiaaleina (2016)
- Suomen Hammaslääkärilehti
- Mechanical and structural characterization of discontinuous fiber-reinforced dental resin composite. (2016)
- Journal of Dentistry
- Mechanical properties, fracture resistance, and fatigue limits of short fiber reinforced dental composite resin. (2016)
- Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
- Mechanical properties of fiber reinforced restorative composite with two distinguished fiber length distribution. (2016)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Micro-shear bond strength of different resin cements to ceramic/glass-polymer CAD-CAM block materials (2016)
- Journal of Prosthodontic Research
- Morphological and mechanical characterization of composite bone cement containing polymethylmethacrylate matrix functionalized with trimethoxysilyl and bioactive glass. (2016)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Orthodontics: Bracket Materials, Adhesives Systems, and Their Bond Strength (2016)
- BioMed Research International
- Photopolymerization of Light Curing Adhesives Used with Metal Orthodontic Brackets and Matrices (2016)
- Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
- Physical and chemical properties of an antimicrobial Bis-GMA free dental resin with quaternary ammonium dimethacrylate monomer (2016)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Porous SiO2 nanofiber grafted novel bioactive glass-ceramic coating: A structural scaffold for uniform apatite precipitation and oriented cell proliferation on inert implant (2016)
- Materials Science and Engineering: C
- Reinforcing Effect of Glass Fiber-incorporated ProRoot MTA and Biodentine as Intraorifice Barriers (2016)
- Journal of Endodontics



