Toenail reconstruction is a cosmetic treatment designed to improve the appearance of damaged, misshapen, discoloured or partially missing toenails. A specialist flexible gel is built over the existing nail or suitable nail surface to create a natural-looking prosthetic toenail.
Unlike simply covering an unhealthy nail with a cosmetic false nail, toenail reconstruction begins with an assessment of the nail itself. This is particularly important when damage, disease or previous treatment has altered the nail, as any underlying problem needs to be understood before reconstruction is considered.
What Is Toenail Reconstruction?
Toenail reconstruction uses a specialist gel to recreate the shape and appearance of a natural nail. The material is applied in layers, cured and then shaped to produce a smooth prosthetic nail that blends with the surrounding toenails.
It can be used to improve the appearance of nails that have become cracked, ridged, distorted, discoloured or partially lost. It may also provide a temporary cosmetic solution while a damaged natural nail grows.
Toenail reconstruction is not permanent and does not replace the natural nail itself. Where a natural nail is still growing underneath, that growth continues and the reconstruction will gradually move forward with it.
It is also important to distinguish reconstruction from treatment of an underlying nail condition. For example, reconstruction may disguise the appearance of a nail affected by fungal damage, but it does not remove the need to appropriately manage the infection itself.
How Long Does Toenail Reconstruction Last?
How long a toenail reconstruction lasts varies from person to person, but you can generally expect a reconstruction to last around four to eight weeks.
Several factors affect its lifespan. A reconstruction usually adheres more securely when there is a good, stable nail surface for the gel to bond to. Nail growth, footwear, activity levels and repeated pressure or impact on the toe can also affect how long it remains intact.
As the natural nail grows, the reconstruction will eventually need to be maintained or reapplied. Toenail reconstruction should therefore be thought of as a temporary prosthetic treatment rather than a permanent replacement nail.
Where very little natural nail remains, reconstruction may still be possible in suitable cases, but the amount and quality of the available surface will affect how securely the material bonds and consequently how long it lasts.
What’s the Difference Between Toenail Reconstruction and Cosmetic Gel or Acrylic Nails?
At first glance, toenail reconstruction can look similar to a cosmetic nail treatment because gel is applied, cured and shaped to create the finished nail.
The purpose and materials used are different, however.
Ordinary salon nail enhancements are primarily designed to alter or enhance the appearance of healthy nails. Toenail reconstruction is specifically intended to create a natural-looking prosthetic nail where the original toenail is damaged, distorted or incomplete.
The reconstruction gel is flexible, allowing the finished nail to move naturally with the toe rather than creating a rigid covering. This is particularly important on toenails, which are exposed to pressure from footwear and movement during walking.
When reconstruction is carried out in a podiatry setting, the condition of the underlying nail and surrounding tissue can also be assessed before the cosmetic treatment is applied. This is useful where the appearance of the nail has changed because of injury, disease or previous treatment.
Who Can Benefit From Toenail Reconstruction?
Toenail reconstruction can be suitable for a range of nail problems, including:
- Thickened or distorted nails
- Cracked or split toenails
- Discoloured nails
- Ridges and Beau’s lines
- Lifted or partially detached nails
- Psoriatic nail changes
- Nails damaged by previous fungal infection
- Nail spikes or irregular growth following surgery
- Partially missing toenails
It can also be particularly useful following nail trauma. An impact, repeated pressure or another injury can leave a toenail split, uneven, partially missing or growing back in an unusual shape. Reconstruction can sometimes improve its appearance while the underlying nail continues to grow.
Similarly, toenail removal and nail surgery can sometimes leave a narrower, irregular or partially absent nail. Once the surgical area has healed appropriately, reconstruction may be an option if there is a suitable surface for the material to adhere to.
If reconstruction is being considered following surgery, the toe needs sufficient time to heal first. The appropriate recovery after nail removal surgery depends on the procedure performed and how well the area is healing.
What If the Whole Toenail Is Missing?
This depends on the individual nail.
Toenail reconstruction can sometimes be carried out where much or even all of the natural nail is missing. However, a reconstruction needs a suitable surface to adhere to, and skin behaves very differently from a nail plate.
Where there is little natural nail available, the reconstruction may be less secure and may not last as long. Rather than assuming a completely missing toenail can always be successfully reconstructed, the toe should be assessed first to establish what is realistically achievable.
What To Expect During a Toenail Reconstruction
The toenail reconstruction procedure itself is straightforward.
First, the existing nail is assessed and prepared. Any excessive thickness or loose material may be carefully reduced and the surface smoothed where necessary.
The nail is then thoroughly cleaned and prepared so that the reconstruction material can bond effectively.
Specialist reconstruction gel is gradually applied to build the required shape. Rather than applying one thick layer, the nail is constructed progressively so its shape and thickness can be controlled. Each layer is cured before the next is added.
Once the required shape has been achieved, the reconstructed nail is refined and finished to produce a smooth, natural-looking result.
Nail varnish can also be applied over the finished reconstruction if desired.
LCN Wilde-Pedique Toenail Reconstruction
At Northwich Foot Clinic, toenail reconstructions are carried out using LCN Wilde-Pedique, a specialist reconstruction system developed specifically for toenails.
Wilde-Pedique uses a flexible UV/LED-cured gel that can be shaped to recreate missing or irregular areas of a toenail. Its flexibility allows the reconstruction to move with the toe, helping it remain comfortable while producing a natural-looking result.
Its adhesive and flexible properties can also make LCN Wilde-Pedique useful where the remaining nail surface is uneven or more difficult to reconstruct using an ordinary cosmetic nail product. Different reconstruction gels can provide varying levels of coverage, allowing discolouration, ridges and deformities to be disguised while the finished nail is shaped to suit the individual toe.
The Wilde-Pedique Silver Plus system also contains antimicrobial ingredients intended to support a cleaner nail environment. This does not mean that toenail reconstruction should be regarded as a treatment for an existing fungal nail infection. Any underlying infection or nail condition still needs to be appropriately assessed and managed.
Looking After a Reconstructed Toenail
A little care can help your reconstructed toenail remain comfortable and looking its best for longer.
Keep the nail and surrounding skin clean and check the reconstruction regularly for lifting, cracking or other damage. Avoid picking at or trying to peel away any part that begins to lift, as this could damage the natural nail underneath.
Repeated pressure from tight footwear and heavy impacts can shorten the life of a reconstruction, so make sure your shoes provide enough room around the toes.
If you wear nail varnish, it can be applied over the reconstruction. Follow any specific advice you are given about products and removal so you do not unnecessarily damage the reconstructed surface.
Most importantly, continue to pay attention to the natural nail and surrounding skin rather than treating the reconstruction purely as a cosmetic covering. New pain, increasing redness, swelling, discharge or other significant changes should be assessed rather than simply concealed by the prosthetic nail.
As your natural nail grows, or once the reconstruction begins to lift or lose its appearance, it can be professionally assessed and replaced where appropriate.
Toenail Reconstruction at Northwich Foot Clinic
Toenail reconstruction can provide a natural-looking temporary solution for many people who are unhappy with the appearance of a damaged, distorted or incomplete toenail. Whether it is appropriate, and how long it is likely to last, depends on the condition of the nail and the surface available for reconstruction.
If you would like to find out whether toenail reconstruction is suitable for you, book an appointment.
