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.
- The effect of refractive index of fillers and polymer matrix on translucency and color matching of dental resin composite (2021)
- Biomaterial Investigations in Dentistry
- The influence of FRC base and bonded CAD/CAM resin composite endocrowns on fatigue behavior of cracked endodontically-treated molars (2021)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- The Viability and Growth of HaCaT Cells After Exposure to Bioactive Glass S53P4-Containing Cell Culture Media (2021)
- Otology and Neurotology
- Universal Adhesive for Fixed Retainer Bonding: In Vitro Evaluation and Randomized Clinical Trial (2021)
- Materials
- Aesthetic veneers: What are they and how top handle them? (2020) Modern Operative Dentistry Maria Filomena Rocha Lima Huhtala, Clovis Pagani, Carlos Rocha Gomes Torres, Pekka Kalevi Vallittu, Jukka Pekka Matinlinna
- Bilayered composite restoration: the effect of layer thickness on fracture behavior (2020)
- Biomaterial Investigations in Dentistry
- Biomaterial and implant induced ossification: in vitro and in vivo findings (2020)
- Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
- Characterization of restorative short-fiber reinforced dental composites (2020) Lippo Lassila, Filip Keulemans, Pekka K. Vallittu, Sufyan Garoushi
- Characterization of the mechanical properties of CAD/CAM polymers for interim fixed restorations (2020) Leila Perea-Lowery, Mona Gibreel, Pekka K. Vallittu, Lippo Lassila
- Development of nano-porous hydroxyapatite coated e-glass for potential bone-tissue engineering application: An in vitro approach (2020)
- Materials Science and Engineering: C
- Direct bilayered biomimetic composite restoration: The effect of a cusp-supporting short fiber-reinforced base design on the chewing fracture resistance and failure mode of molars with or without endodontic treatment (2020)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Dual-curing resin cement with colour indicator for adhesively cemented restorations to dental tissues: Change of colour by curing and some physical properties (2020)
- Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
- Effect of cellulose nanofiber content on flexural properties of a model, thermoplastic, injection-molded, polymethyl methacrylate denture base material (2020)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Effect of Short-Term Aging on the Flexural Strength of a Novel Experimental CAD/CAM Fiber-Reinforced Composite Material: A Pilot Study (2020)
- International Journal of Prosthodontics
- Effects of Different Polishing Protocols and Curing Time on Surface Properties of a Bulk-fill Composite Resin (2020)
- Chinese Journal of Dental Research
- Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Glass Ionomer Cements with Basalt Fibers (2020)
- Silicon
- Fatigue resistance of metal-free cantilever bridges supported by labial laminate veneers (2020)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Fiber Reinforcement of Endodontically Treated Teeth: What Options Do We Have? Literature Review (2020)
- European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry
- Fracture behavior of Bi-structure fiber-reinforced composite restorations (2020)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Fracture resistance and marginal gap formation of post-core restorations: influence of different fiber-reinforced composites (2020)
- Clinical Oral Investigations



