During a recent viewing of the Shroud of Turin in Italy, dental surgeon Dr. John Sottosanti claims he made an unsettling discovery—what he believes to be the faint outlines of lower teeth on the mysterious linen.

Sottosanti’s new study suggests that these dental impressions were caused by a burst of radiant energy that may have occurred at the resurrection of Jesus, potentially capturing anatomical details with impressive precision, as Daily Mail reports.

Sottosanti recently examined the ancient cloth during a rare exhibition in Turin, where it is typically kept hidden from public view. The Shroud, measuring 14 feet in length, bears a faint image of a man with wounds consistent with crucifixion, leading some to believe it was the burial cloth of Jesus of Nazareth.

Dental Expert Claims Tooth Imprints Found

The dental surgeon said he noticed unusual markings where the incisal edges of the lower front teeth should appear. According to Sottosanti, these details were visible because of how the human jaw relaxes shortly after death—a process known as primary flaccidity that causes the mouth to loosen and separate.

“Immediately after death, a phenomenon called primary flaccidity occurs, where all the muscles in the body relax, including those in the jaw,” Sottosanti said. “This can lead to the jaw dropping open and the teeth separating.”

He elaborated that only the lower teeth are visible on the cloth image, as the upper teeth may have been hidden by layers such as the mustache or lip. This anatomical positioning supports his theory of the vivid clarity only in the lower jaw region.

Radiant Energy Theory Gains Attention

Sottosanti proposes that the reason these details appear at all may involve more than just anatomical alignment. He theorizes that the body emitted a powerful burst of radiant energy at the moment of resurrection, and this force was capable of imprinting even such subtle features.

“Suppose teeth, located behind the lower lip, are indeed evident in the image on the Shroud. In that case, their presence lends credence to the theory that a burst of energy was released at the time of the resurrection,” he said.

He compared his findings with earlier studies that suggested similar mechanisms of energy transmission. One from 1982 by Dr. Giles Carter presented the possibility that X-radiation from inside the body could have formed the image. Another study by Drs. Alan and Mary Whanger used a special technique to suggest visibility of both upper and lower teeth—complete with roots.

Experts Divided on Image Interpretation

While others like New Testament scholar Dr. Gary Habermas support the notion that the roots of the teeth are clearly visible, Sottosanti remains cautious. He believes some visual effects are due to the actual weave of the linen fabric, not the roots.

“Habermas believes you can see all the roots of the upper and lower teeth. I disagree,” said Sottosanti. “There is a melding of the image with the pattern of the weave. Vertical striations extend beyond the normal length of teeth—so it’s the weave, not actual roots.”

Sottosanti added that these same striations appear in other parts of the face, such as the cheeks and chin, which further suggests they are part of the fabric’s design rather than anatomical elements of the image.

Shroud Remains a Scientific Enigma

The Shroud of Turin has been a source of fascination for centuries and remains one of the most studied religious artifacts. Scientific analysis has both supported and challenged its authenticity with more than 170 peer-reviewed papers written since the 1980s.

In 1980, tests dated a portion of the cloth to between 1200 and 1400 A.D., but some scientists dispute these results, claiming the sample may have come from a section that was later repaired. The first public exhibition of the Shroud dates back to the 1350s, when French knight Geoffroi de Charny presented it to a church in Lirey, France.

The latest observation by Sottosanti adds a new layer to the growing catalogue of evidence and theories. However, his study has not yet undergone peer review, and some experts remain skeptical.

Scientific Caution and Subjective Views

Dr. Kelly Kearse, a researcher familiar with the Shroud, expressed doubt about the clarity of the supposed tooth marks. “The issue of visible teeth on the Shroud is a subjective one,” Kearse said. “In my opinion, it is difficult to tell because of the banding of the cloth.”

Kearse referred to the way the fabric appears in its negative image, which can give rise to optical illusions. He believes the pattern can resemble anatomical features without actually representing them.

While reactions vary, even supporters emphasize that visual interpretation of the Shroud’s image is highly sensitive to light, cloth texture, and photographic exposure type—all of which complicate analysis efforts.

Ongoing Debate Unlikely to Be Settled Soon

Despite continued advances in imaging and debate over authenticity, no definitive scientific explanation has resolved how the image was created. Sottosanti’s theory joins a long legacy of research characterizing the Shroud as one of history’s more enduring religious enigmas.

“The detail is extraordinary,” Sottosanti said. “The lower teeth on the Shroud suggest the body emitted a burst of radiant energy at the moment of the Resurrection, powerful enough to imprint even the smallest anatomical features.”

The controversial nature of such claims ensures the Shroud will remain a subject of fascination and division among scholars, theologians, and scientists for years to come.