A La Jolla surgeon says he has made a discovery that could change Christian theology as we know it -- one that could shed new light on the belief that Jesus Christ was resurrected after his death.

Local resident, oral surgeon and author John Sottosanti published a study last month in which he outlines what he considers to be evidence of teeth within the image on the Shroud of Turin, believed by many Christians and other theologists to be the burial shroud of Jesus. The cloth contains a faint image of a man with long hair, a beard and crucifixion wounds consistent with Jesus' death. However, the image has been largely surrounded by mystery.

Sottosanti argues that the presence of "anatomically correct" teeth within the image would be possible only if the "tremendous amount of light energy" needed to cast the image onto the shroud was projected from within the body.

"If you consider yourself a believer, the energy released at the time of the resurrection would produce the light energy needed to produce [the image]," Sottosanti said.

The study and Sottosanti's theory captured attention around the world. His paper was not peer-reviewed before publication, though Sottosanti said he intends to submit it to a peer-reviewed journal for additional scrutiny and continue working with researchers.

"What's fascinating is that the paper has been out for six weeks and over 2,000 people have downloaded it ... but very few have criticized it," Sottosanti said.

Some who are skeptical argue this is a case of pareidolia (the perception of familiar patterns, such as faces or objects, in random things such as clouds or rocks).

But Sottosanti sees it "as a way to bring truth to the cloth [shroud] and ... blend science, history and faith."

The Shroud of Turin's documented history dates to around 1355, when it was exhibited in north-central France. It was moved to Turin, Italy, in 1578 and has been there since.

In 2023, Sottosanti published "Mortal Adhesions: A Surgeon Battles the Seven Deadly Sins to Find Faith, Happiness and Inner Peace," which explores his personal path to happiness and the role of faith over several decades.

In 2000, when "I was not a believer" and was a self-described agnostic, Sottosanti was exploring the tenants of multiple faiths, he said. That year he had the opportunity to view the shroud when it was on view to the public, which happens every decade or so.

"I was told I would get four minutes to view the shroud," Sottosanti said. During his visit, the man in front of him left before the four minutes were up.

"So I sat down in his spot and expected someone to tap me on the shoulder any minute and say it was time to go," Sottosanti said. "But nobody did. So I ended up watching it for about 45 minutes."

Still, Sottosanti didn't further pursue his interest in the shroud until recently.

In July this year, he attended a three-day conference in Missouri for those interested in the shroud.

"I talked to one of the leaders there and told him I thought I saw something in the oral region that hadn't been mentioned before," Sottosanti said. "So we got a high-resolution image to look at carefully, and I could see normal anatomy and lower teeth. In the image of the face, there is such a thick upper mustache, so it was hard to see teeth. But I could see what is known in dentistry as a lower incisal plane [an invisible line that connects the edges of one's front teeth, from canine to canine]."

The shroud has been the subject of scientific scrutiny for the past 50-plus years.

A team of scientists collectively known as the Shroud of Turin Research Project analyzed the shroud in the late 1970s and early '80s and issued a final report in 1981.

Though a chemical scientist earlier had concluded that the image was painted, the STURP report stated "the shroud image is that of a real human form of a scourged, crucified man. It is not the product of an artist."

"The image is an ongoing mystery," the report said, "and until further chemical studies are made ... the problem remains unsolved."

Radiocarbon dating conducted in 1988 by three separate laboratories dated the fabric between 1260 and 1390.

However, Sottosanti said issues with the process of carbon dating led to what he considers inconclusive results.

In August this year, researchers reportedly discovered medieval texts alleging as early as 1370 that the shroud was faked.

But Sottosanti said he will continue to study it, and recently enrolled in a college course dedicated to the shroud. ♦