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: 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.
- Nano-CT as tool for characterization of dental resin composites (2020)
- Scientific Reports
- Physicochemical properties of dimethacrylate resin composites with comonomer of Hexa/Tri-ethylene glycol bis(carbamate-isoproply-α-methylstyrene) (2020)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Scanning electron microscopy assessment of the load-bearing capacity of cad/cam-fabricated molar crowns (2020)
- Brazilian Oral Research
- Surface dissolution and transesterification of thermoset dimethacrylate polymer by dimethacrylate adhesive resin and organic catalyst-alcohol solution (2020)
- Dental Materials
- The effect of polishing protocol on surface gloss of different restorative resin composites (2020)
- Biomaterial Investigations in Dentistry
- The influence of resin composite with high fiber aspect ratio on fracture resistance of severely damaged bovine incisors (2020)
- Dental Materials Journal
- Accuracy of inlay and onlay restorations based on 3D printing or milling technique-a pilot study (2019)
- European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry
- A large calvarial bone defect in a child: osteointegration of an implant (2019)
- World Neurosurgery
- Biomechanical aspects of reinforced implant over-dentures: a systematic review (2019)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Biostable glass fibre-reinforced dimethacrylate-based composites as potential candidates for fracture fixation plates in toy-breed dogs: Mechanical testing and finite element analysis (2019)
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Bonding interface affects the load-bearing capacity of bilayered composites (2019)
- Dental Materials Journal
- Characterization of a new fiber-reinforced flowable composite (2019)
- Odontology
- Characterization of osteogenic cells grown over modified graphene-oxide-biostable polymers (2019)
- Biomedical Materials
- Effect of 3D printing direction and water storage on nano-mechanical properties of 3D printed and auto-polymerized polymer with special emphasis on printing layer interface (2019)
- Materials express
- Effect of interface surface design on the fracture behavior of bilayered composites (2019)
- European Journal of Oral Sciences
- Effect of Long-Term Brushing on Deflection, Maximum Load, and Wear of Stainless Steel Wires and Conventional and Spot Bonded Fiber-Reinforced Composites (2019)
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Effect of phytic acid on the setting times and tensile strengths of calcium silicate-based cements (2019)
- Australian Endodontic Journal
- Evaluation of the Effect of Monomer Systems on the Softening of a Composite Resin (2019)
- International Journal of Prosthodontics
- Fatigue resistance of a simulated single Locator overdenture system (2019)
- Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
- Fiberförstärkta tandersättningar (2019)
- Aktuel Nordisk Odontologi