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, Visiting Professor at the Sahlgrenska Academy (University of Göteborg, Sweden) 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 2018-2025. He is member of The Finnish Artists (Suomen Taiteilijat ry).
He is Invited Member of Finska Vetenskaps-Societeten - Suomen Tiedeseura - The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters – Société Scientifique de Finlande - Finnische Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft and Invited Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters - Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia.
Pekka Vallittu has received numerous accolades, including the two times (2012 and 2026) Distinguished Scientist Award 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 (agriculture and concrete industry). Pekka Vallittu’s h-index is 112 according to Google Scholar, and the Web of Science databases list over 800 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.
Dental education (theoretical, preclinical and clinical), biomaterial education at different levels in dentistry and medicine.
- Osseointegration of fiber-reinforced composite implants: Histological and ultrastructural observations (2014)
- Dental Materials
- Silane-Treated E-Glass Fiber-Reinforced Telechelic Macromer-Based Polymer-Matrix Composites (2014)
- Silicon
- Synthesis of antibacterial and radio-opaque dimethacrylate monomers and their potential application in dental resin (2014)
- Dental Materials
- Accuracy of three-dimensional finite element modeling using two different dental cone beam computed tomography systems (2013)
- Odontology
- Bioactive glass–nanosphere/nanofibre based composite coatings useful as excellent scaffolds for the generation and growth of apatite (Abstract 414) (2013) Das I., Medda S.K., De G., Fagerlund S., Hupa L., Puska M., Vallittu P.K.
- Biomateriaalit luuston korjauksessa (2013)
- Duodecim
- Bond strength of self-adhesive resin cements to dentin after antibacterial and chelating solution treatment (2013)
- Acta Odontologica Scandinavica
- Characterization of porous glass fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) implant structures: porosity and mechanical properties (2013)
- Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine
- Color stability of thermochromic pigment in maxillofacial silicone (2013)
- The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
- Composite-based oral implants (2013) Non-metallic biomaterials for tooth repair and replacement Närhi TO, Ballo AM, Vallittu P
- Composite resin reinforced with pre-tensioned fibers: a three-dimensional finite element study on stress distribution (2013)
- Odontology
- Creep of experimental short fiber-reinforced composite resin (vol 31, pg 737, 2012) (2013) Garoushi S, KALEEM M, SHINYA A, VALLITTU PK, Satterthwaite JD, WATTS DC, Lassila LVJ
- Effect of cementation technique of individually formed fiber-reinforced composite post on bond strength and microleakage (2013)
- Open Dentistry Journal
- Effect of colouring green stage zirconia on the adhesion of veneering ceramics with different thermal expansion coefficients (2013)
- International Journal of Oral Science
- Effect of monomer composition of polymer matrix on flexural properties of glass fibre-reinforced orthodontic archwire (2013)
- European Journal of Orthodontics
- Effect of Particle Deposition Parameters on Silica Coating of Zirconia Using a Chairside Air-abrasion Device (2013)
- Journal of Adhesive Dentistry
- Effect of Surface Modification on the Bond Strength between Zirconia and Resin Cement (2013)
- Journal of Prosthodontics
- Effect of Water Temperature on Cyclic Fatigue Properties of Glass-fiber-reinforced Hybrid Composite Resin and Its Fracture Pattern After Flexural Testing (2013)
- Journal of Adhesive Dentistry
- Effects of Different Cavity Designs on Fracture Load of Fiber-reinforced Adhesive Fixed Dental Prostheses in the Anterior Region (2013)
- Journal of Adhesive Dentistry
- Erratum to: Creep of experimental short fiber-reinforced composite resin (2013) Garoushi S, Kaleem M, Shinya A, Vallittu PK, Satterthwaite JD, Watts DC, Lassila LVJ



