Answer:
According to wolff (German Anatomist and Surgeon),the adaptation shown by a bone in an healthy animal or human depends on the loads it bear.Therefore, changes in the structure or type load the bone bears, will lead to a corresponding change in the bone bearing the load.A practical example is the development of the bone in hand used by a professional tennis player to hold racket.The bones of this hand usually appear stronger and well developed than the other hand.
When a bony outgrowth, emerges in the mandible close to the surface of the tongue, this outgrowth is called Torus mandibularis. It is commonly found near the premolars, in a bilateral conditions. It is common among the Asian and the indigenous people of Canada, Greenland and Alaska(the Inuit).
If it is caused by bruxism (teeth grinding)This will create stress on the impacted bone.Therefore based on Wolff's theory, the impact of this local stress,(teeth grinding) may cause transformation in the shape of the part of the mandible associated with the teeth,an therefore leads to the bony outgrowth.
This theory may also be interpreted with Lamarck theory of use and disuse.
