Toenail Restoration Specialist

Why would I need toenail restoration?

There are a few conditions that can wreak havoc on your toenails, with toenail fungus leading the charge. This common condition causes otherwise healthy toenails to:

• Yellow
• Thicken
• Crumble
• Detach from the nail bed
• Smell
• Change in shape

Toenail fungus is caused by exposure to various fungi, which prefer damp, moist, and warm environments, such as public swimming pools, locker rooms, and sweaty socks, to name just a few.

Medically known as onychomycosis, toenail fungus isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it can be an incredibly difficult condition to get rid of once it takes hold and spreads throughout your toenails.

The other condition that can benefit from toenail restoration is ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails, as their name suggests, are nails that grow into the flesh around the edges of your toenail, causing great pain.

How are my toenails restored?

The answer to this depends upon which condition Dr. Matey is addressing. For toenail fungus, Dr. Matey brings a number of tools to bear, including:

• Topical ointments
• Oral antifungal medications
• Laser treatments

If he catches the fungal infection in its early stages, Dr. Matey can usually halt its progress with medications. But if your fungus is advanced, new laser therapy is an extremely effective tool in killing the fungus. The laser energy that Dr. Matey delivers is absorbed as heat by the offending microbes, in effect killing them. But you don’t feel anything as the energy passes harmlessly through your nail.

If you’re dealing with an ingrown toenail, Dr. Matey removes the piece of nail that’s digging into your flesh, providing you with instant relief. If you have overly curved toenails that are prone to becoming ingrown, Dr. Matey may provide a more permanent solution by removing a piece of your nail bed.

When will I see results after my toenail restoration?

The one thing you should understand about recovering from toenail fungus is that it may take a little time. This is because the fungus has already inflicted its damage on your nail and you need to wait for these areas to grow out. But your patience is rewarded as clear, healthy nails grow in, allowing you to wear those summer shoes without giving it a second thought.

If you’d like to learn more about toenail restoration, please call one of the three Florida Foot and Ankle offices or use the online scheduling tool to set up an appointment.